Problems on Ages

PROBLEMS ON AGE
Problem Based on Ages can be solved after Basic understanding of linear equations. This method requires
some basic knowledge and concepts of algebra as well as time duration. Many times it is easier to solve the
problems by appropriate method, but sometimes hit-and-trial method takes less time and effort, which is
good for competitive exams. We have mentioned different cases and also different methods to solve the
questions, which will ease your efforts.

Equation(s) is/are a convenient method to represent conditions or relations between two or

more quantities. An equation may have one, two or more variables.

The basic rule is that:

a. If the number of unknowns is equal to the number of conditions, then these equations are solvable,
otherwise not.

(-) (+)

Present Age

b. If the present age of a person is ‘x’, then after ‘a’ years, the age will be (x+a) years
c. If the present age of a person is ‘x’, then before ‘a’ years, the age was (x-a) years
d. If the age if given k times, it would be kx
e. If ages are given in form of ratio P: Q then, then P: Q would be Px and Qx respectively.

Example 1: After 12 years Shiva’s age will be 6 times his age 3 years ago. What is the present age of Shiva?
A) 5 years
B) 6 years
C) 12 years
D) 3 years
Ans:
Let the present age of Shiva= x years
Age after 12 years= (x+12)
Age before 3 years= (x-3)
According to the question,
(x-3)×6=x+12
or, 6x-18=x+12
or, 5x=30
or, x=6
So, the present age of Shiva= 6 years
So, option B is correct.

CASES BASED ON PROBLEMS ON AGES

Various types of cases are given below based on the problems of ages:

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 Problems on Ages

CASE 1:

In this type of cases present, past and future ages are given in either whole number addition or multiples.
Generally we compare the before and after ages on the basis of present age, so we will have to suppose
the present age as ‘x’ (or any variable).

Example:
The age of Rakesh is 4 times that of his son. After 10 years, the age of the Rakesh will be 2.5 times that of
his son. What is the present age of the Rakesh and his son?
Solution:
Let the age of son= x years
Age of Rakesh = 4x
(First line clearly states that present the age of Rakesh is 4 times of son.)
Son’s age after 10 years=x+10
Rakesh’s age after10 years=4x+10
The final equation is:
(x+10)×2.5 = (4x+10)
x=10
Son’s age = 10 years and Father’s age = 40 years

CASE 2:

In this type of cases before and after ages are given in fractional multiples. To calculate the present, past
or future ages we have to multiply the fraction as per the requirement of question.

Example:
Rakesh’s age is one fourth of his father’s age. After 4 year Rakesh’s age will be one-third of his father’s age.
What is the present age of Rakesh?
Solution:
Let Father’s age=x
Rakesh’s age = (¼)x
Father’s age after 4 year=x+4
Rakesh’s age after 4 years= (¼) x +4
The final equation is:
( )x + 4 = ( )(x+4)
Or, =
Or, 3x+48=4x+16
Or, x=32
So, father’s age=32 years
And Rakesh’s age= (¼) × 32=8 years

CASE 3:

In this type of questions before and after ages are compared in whole number as well as in fractions. So,
this case is mixture of first and second case.

Example:
The ratio between Nikki and Shivangi is 5:6 respectively. If the ratio between 1/3rd age of Nikki and half
of Shivangi’s age is 5: 9. Then what will be Shivangi’s present age?
Solution:
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 Problems on Ages

Present age of Nikki=5x

Present age of Shivangi=6x
Also, the ratio between 1/3rd age of Nikki i.e. 1/3 ×5x and half age of Shivangi i.e. ½ ×6x is 5:9.
Therefore, final equation=
=
Here no any kind of age is given so present age cannot be determined with the given information. On the
basis of only ratios we cannot find ages.

CASE 4:

This case is based on age before ‘n’ years or the present age is calculated on the basis of past age. Here
again present age is considered as ‘x’ (or any variable).

Example:
Present age of Rakesh is th times his age as of 8 years ago. At present his son’s age is th of his age. What
is present age of son?
Solution:
Let present age of Rakesh=x
Age before 8 years=x-8
Present age of son= x
The final equations are
x = ×(x – 8)
Or, 7x=9x-72
Or, x=36
Rakesh’s present age=36

CASE 5:

In this type of cases future age is compared with ratio of present age.

Example:
The sum of present ages of Fahim and Sohan is 8 years more than the present age of the Mohan. The
Mohan is 22 years older than the Sohan. What will be the age of Fahim after 4 years?
Solution:
Let the age of Sohan=x years
So, the age of Mohan=(x+22)

As per the question,

Mohan+8=Fahim + Sohan
or, (x+22)+8=Fahim +x
or, Fahim=30
Hence, present age of Fahim= 30 years
Therefore, Fahim’s age after four years= x + 4 = 34 years.

CASE 6

This type of case is based on ages after ‘n’ years. There may be more than 2 persons also, and their ages
are compared on the basis of relationship of their present age.
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 Problems on Ages

Example:
The ages of Abdul and Ballu are in the ratio 6:5 and the sum of their ages is 55 years. What will be the
ratio of their ages after 8 years?
Solution:
The ratio between ages of Abdul and Ballu is 6:5.
So, their present age=5x and 6x
Sum of ages =55
Final equation:
6x + 5x = 55
x= 5
Abdul’s and Ballu’s present age=(5×6=30 years) and (5×5=25 years)
Their ages after 8 years= 38 and 33
So, ratio=38:33

RATIO METHOD TO SOLVE THE AGE PROBLEMS:

Ratios are used to compare compare two or more numbers or data. Ages are also compared through
ratio, so they can also be solved through this method.

Example 1: The ratio of Amit and Sushil are in ratio 4:5 after 12 year the ratio of their ages will be 7:8.
What is difference in years between their ages?
Solution:
Asha : Sushil
4 : 5 (initial ratio)

7 : 8 ( final ratio)

= –
=
Difference = =4

Example 2: Ratio between the ages of Mona and Damini 4 years ago was 19:5. If difference between
ages of Mona and Damini is 28 years what will be the sum of their present age?
Solution:
Compare the differences in ratios and 28 years (numeric form).
Mona : Damini
19 : 5

(-)
Here the difference of ratio= 1428 years (different between ratios is 14 and numerically it is 28
years)
Or, 1 2 years
4 years ago, their age was: 19×2 : 5×2= 38 : 10
So, present age= (38+4=42) and (10+4=14)
Hence the sum of their ages=42+14=56 years.

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 Problems on Ages

Example 3: Five years ago the sum of the ages of Father and Son was 60 years. The ratio of present
ages is 4 : 1. What is the present age of father?
Solution:
Present age of Father + Son = 60 + 10 = 70
Father : Son
4 : 1 ( present age)
5  70
1  14
Present age of Father = 14 × 4 = 56 years

ALLEGATION METHOD TO SOLVE THE AGE PROBLEMS:

Not every question but many questions can be solved by this method. Allegation are generally used to
find the ratios in which two or more data at the given ratio is mixed.
To solve the problems based on age try to make the difference between age ratios as same.
Example:
Amit is twice old as Bunty. 12 years earlier Amit was 5 times older than the Bunty. Find out the
present age of Amit.
Solution,
Ratio of present ages of Amit and Bunty= 2:1
Ratio of ages of Amit and Bunty 5 years earlier= 5:1

Use allegation:

Amit Bunty
Age 5 years ago 5 1
Present age 2 1 Difference is 0
For calculation difference should be same. And for this we will have to multiply the present age ratio
by 4.
Difference is -3

Amit Bunty
Age 5 years ago 5 1
Present age 8 4 Difference is 3

Difference is 3
Here, we find out that the difference 3, or 3 difference=12 years
So, one difference=4 years
Therefore, present age of Amit=4×8=32 years.

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