January 2022
Problem of the Month
1876 M.I.T. Exam question
Mathematician Presh Talwalkar frequently digs up samples of classic college entrance exams so his followers
can see how they'd fare in the days before standardized testing.
Recently, Talwalkar unearthed a question from an 1876 algebra exam given to applicants at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Can you solve it?
A father said to his son, "Two years ago I was three times as old as you; but in fourteen years I shall be only twice as old as you. What were the ages of each?"
You must show work to get credit:
Let F = current age of the father.
Let S = current age of the son.