Oscar says to Vanesa: "I am five times the age you were when I was the age you are; and when you are the age I am, our ages will add up to 72 years." How old is Vanessa? Please

18

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's say x is Oscar's age, and y is Vanessa's age.

When Oscar was Vanessa's age, Vanessa was y−(x−y) = 2y−x years old.  Oscar is five times older than this:

x = 5 (2y − x)

x = 10y − 5x

6x = 10y

3x = 5y

When Vanessa is Oscar's age, Oscar will be x+(x−y) = 2x−y years old.  The sum of their ages will by 72.

2x−y + x = 72

3x − y = 72

Substituting:

5y − y = 72

4y = 72

y = 18

Vanessa is 18.  Which means Oscar is 30.

Let's check our answer.  When Oscar was 18, Vanessa was 6.  Oscar is 5 times older than that (30).  When Vanessa is 30, Oscar will be 42, and their ages will add up to 72.

$649.60

step-by-step explanation: