I am try to help my daughter:
Problem
father is 4 times older then his daughter.
in 6 years he will be 3 times older what is the answer and how did you
reach it.
Thanks, a mom in CA
Here's a matrix solution...
require 'matrix'
coefficient_matrix = Matrix[[1, -4], [1, -3]]
solution_vector = [[0], [12]]
father_age, daughter_age = (coefficient_matrix.inverse *
solution_vector).to_a.flatten
=> [48, 12]
Let x be father's age, y be daughter's
x = 4y
x + 6 = 3(y + 6)
Simplified and with x's and y's on one side.
x - 4y = 0
x - 3y = 12
The coefficients make up the matrix [[1, -4], [1, -3]], with the
current solution vector as [[0], [12]].
Multiply both sides by the inverse of the coefficient matrix will give
you the identity matrix on the left side and the solution vector on
the right.
cheers,
Todd