Oliver's age is 4 times the age he was 30 years ago. what is oliver's age?

[eddy2017]

let me try my hand at this basic one. From the simplest to the deepest things, someone said

'Oliver's age is 4 times the age he was 30 years ago.
what is Oliver's age?'.

current age=X
30 yrs ago
x-30 ( So, let it be noted this is the age he had thirty years ago)
4 times the age he was 30 yrs ago -----X= 4(x-30)
X =4x-120
120 =4x-x
120=3x
X=40
he is 40 yrs old now

 

[Steven G]

You have two variables, x and X, but only defined one of them!
Does x=X? If so, then state that! Personally, if x=X, i would just use x and forget about X.

 

[eddy2017]

Yes, noted. It lends itself to innecesary confusion.