1510.21 – Pamela Gore

Pamela Gore, a well-traveled woman, lived 1/2 of her life in Oklahoma, 1/5 in Alaska, and 2/9 in Idaho. She then moved to Miami and died 7 years later under unclear circumstances. How long did Pamela live?

Solution

Let $x$ represent the length of Pamela's life.

$\frac{x}{2} + \frac{x}{5} + \frac{2x}{9} + 7 = x$

$\frac{(45 + 18 + 20)x}{90} + 7 = x$

$\frac{83x}{90} + 7 = \frac{90x}{90}$

So $7 = \frac{7x}{90}$ and $x = 90$ , a wonderful old age.