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Age Problems
Age Problems
Age problems are a very popular type of algebra word problem. In age problems, you are given information
so you can find the ages of the people in the problem.
For this topic, you will need to know how to create equations with variables and solve for variables.
27
Sharon is 27 right now. The answer is .
David + Pearl = 19 The current sum of the ages of David and Pearl is 19.
David = 19 - Pearl David's age in terms of Pearl's age.
David + 13 = 2 × (Pearl + 13) 13 years from now, David will be twice as old as Pearl.
(19 - Pearl) + 13 = 2 × (Pearl + 13) Substitute
32 - Pearl = 2(Pearl) + 26
32 = 3(Pearl) + 26
6 = 3(Pearl)
2 = Pearl
2
Pearl is 2 years old right now. The answer is .
5) The present age of Jacob’s father is three times that of Jacob. After 5 years, sum of their ages would be
70 years. Find their present ages.
Solution :
Let Jacob’s age = x years
After 5 years
Jacob’s age = x + 5
Father’s age = 3x + 5
X + 5 + 3x + 5 = 70
4x + 10 = 70
4x = 60
X = 15
6) After 15 years, Ariel’s age will become four times that of her present age. Find her age.
Solution :
Let Ariel’s present age = x years
X + 15 = 4x
X – 4x = -15
-3x = -15
X=5
Solution :
Let John’s age = x year
Then 3 x + 5 = 44
Or 3 x = 44 – 5 = 39
Or x = 13 years
8) The present ages of Deklerk and Saniya are in the ratio 3:4. Five years from now, the ratio of their ages
will be 4:5. Find their present ages.
Solution :
Let the present age of Deklerk and Saniya be 3x and 4x years respectively.
After 5 years,
Deklerk's age = 3x + 5
Saniya's age = 4x + 5
(3x + 5) / (4x + 5) = 4 /5
⇒ 15x + 25 = 16x + 20
⇒ -x = -5
⇒x=5