Problems on Ages - Important Points
Tricks to solve Problems on Ages
- While solving questions based on ages, following points should be kept in mind.
- Read the question carefully and always keep in mind what has been asked.
- Form the simple equation with the help of given values and variables.
- Solve the equation to find the answer.
Types of questions in Problems on Ages
Example 1: The sum of ages of 5 children born at the intervals of 3 years each is 50 years. What is the age of the youngest child?
Solution: Let the ages of children be x, (x + 3), (x + 6), (x + 9) and (x + 12) years.
Then, x + (x + 3) + (x + 6) + (x + 9) + (x + 12) = 50
=> 5x = 20
=> x = 4
Age of the youngest child = x = 4 years.
Example 2: Father’s age is three times more than his son. 8 years hence, he would be two and a half times of son's age. After further 8 years, how many times would he be of son's age?
Solution: Let son's present age be x years. Then, father's present age = (x + 3x) years = 4xyears.
=> (4x + 8)2 =5(x + 8)
=> 8x + 16 = 5x + 40
=> 3x = 24
=> x = 8
Hence, required ratio = (4x + 16)/(x+16)= 48 : 24 = 2 : 1
Example 3: "I was as old as you are at the present at the time of your birth" father said to his daughter. If the father's age is 38 years now, then what was the daughter's age five years back?
Solution: Let the daughter’s present age be x years.
Then, (38 - x) = x
=> 2x = 38
=> x = 19.
Daughter's age 5 years back (19 - 5) = 14 years.