Determining Sobia's Age Using Algebraic Reasoning

Gone are the days when age calculations were mere forays into the world of basic arithmetic. Today, we delve into the realm of algebraic reasoning to determine Sobia's age using a series of logical steps. This exercise not only sharpens our problem-solving skills but also highlights the importance of algebra in real-world contexts like age calculations. If you ever find yourself puzzling over such problems, don't worry; this article will guide you through the process.

Introduction to the Problem

Consider the following scenario: Sobia will be x years old 5 years from now. We aim to determine her current age and then calculate her age 3 years ago. Let's break this down step-by-step.

Step 1: Determine Sobia's Current Age

According to the given information, Sobia will be x years old 5 years from now. Mathematically, we can express Sobia's current age as:

Current Age x - 5

This equation simply subtracts 5 years from the future age x, giving us the current age of Sobia.

Step 2: Calculate Sobia's Age 3 Years Ago

To find out how old Sobia was 3 years ago, we need to subtract another 3 years from her current age:

Age 3 years ago Current Age - 3

Age 3 years ago (x - 5) - 3

Age 3 years ago x - 8

Therefore, 3 years ago, Sobia was x - 8 years old.

Example: Using a Variable for Clarity

Let's make the problem more concrete by introducing a variable for Sobia's current age. Denote Sobia's current age with the letter 'y'. Thus, 5 years from now, she will be:

y 5 x

And 3 years ago, her age was:

y - 3 s

Since we know y x - 5, substituting this into the equation for s gives:

s (x - 5) - 3

s x - 8

So, Sobia was x - 8 years old 3 years ago.

Conclusion

In conclusion, algebraic reasoning can be a powerful tool in solving age-related problems. By breaking down the problem into manageable parts and using substitution, we can determine Sobia's age accurately. This technique is not only useful in mathematics but can also be applied in various real-world scenarios that require logical and analytical thinking.

To find out Sobia's age 3 years ago, simply subtract 8 from the age she will be 5 years from now. This method can be adapted to similar problems and enhances our problem-solving skills.