Answer: lived 48 years
reigned for 15 years
Step-by-step explanation:
Let x represent the number of years he reigned.
Let y represent Alexander's age.
Use the given information to create a system of equations:
Equation 1: x + 9 = (1/2)y
Equation 2: x - 9 = (1/8)y
Multiply the second equation by -1 and add the equations to eliminate x:
[tex].\quad x+9=\dfrac{1}{2}y\\\\\underline{-x+9}=\underline{-\dfrac{1}{8}}y\\\\.\qquad 18=\dfrac{3}{8}y\\\\.\qquad 48=y[/tex]
Input y = 48 into either equation to solve for x:
[tex].\quad x+9=\dfrac{1}{2}(48)\\\\.\quad x+9 = 24\\\\.\qquad x = 15[/tex]