Lets consider SAM's age is 'x' and Hank's age is 'y' So as per given data Sam's age is 5/3 times of Hank's age so x = 5/3 * y 3x = 5y --> equation 1 and also sum of their ages is 24 so, x + y = 24 we need to find Hank's age (y) so x = 24 - y Now replace x value in equation 1 3(24-y) = 5y 72-3y = 5y 72 = 3y+5y 8y= 72 y= 72/8 y = 9 years.
