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G7 3.3

Age Problems

1. Use models /table to solve Age problems.

2. Solve Age Problems.

Specific Objectives

1. Use models /table to solve Age problems.

2. Solve Age Problems.

Materials

o Marker / pen
o Bond paper / intermediate paper/ scratch notebook

Lesson
Were done in solving number/digit problem. Now, we will solve another
type of problem which is an Age problem. If I am 30 years old now, then 2 years
ago, I am 28, 5 years from now, I am 35, x years ago, I am 30 – x, and y years from
now, I am 30 + y. These are some of the many representations that we can have,
and we need for us to solve age problems easily.

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General guidelines for solving Age Problems:

1. Ages of different people change at the same rate.

2. Most of the time, we can use the first part of the sentence to give us the
details we need for representations.
3. The second part of the problem gives us the clue to form an Equation.

Note: The above are guidelines only and are NOT a step-by-step guide to solving
Age Problems. Note that in Item number 2, it is clearly stated that “Most of the
time”, it does not mean that all the time, the first part of the sentence will give us
the details we need for representing. Still, comprehension is the key.

Example 1

Complete each table by using the given information.

a) Mercy is 5 years younger than Bob.
Name Age Now Age in 2 years
Mercy
Bob x

b) Anthony is twice as old as Beth.

Name Age Now Age 4 years ago.
Anthony
Beth x

SOLUTIONS:
a)
Name Age Now Age in 2 years
Mercy x–5 x – 5 + 2 or x – 3
Bob x x+2
b)
Name Age Now Age 4 years ago.
Anthony 2x 2x – 4
Beth x x–4

Example 2
Solve the given problem:

The age of Ryan is 4 more than 3 times the age of Aries. The sum of their
ages is 32. Find their ages.

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Solutions:
Let:
Age of Aries = x
Age of Ryan = 3x + 4

The problem stated that “The sum of their ages is 32.” Thus, we can write:

Age of Aries + Age of Ryan = 32

𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 4 = 32 Substitute value from the
representation part.
4𝑥 + 4 = 32 Combine “x” terms.
4𝑥 = 32 − 4 Combine constant terms.
4𝑥 = 28 Divide both side by 4.
𝑥=7

Example 3

Solve the given problem:

The sum of Yuno’s age and Mimosa’s age is 45. Seven years ago, Yuno
was 16 years more than one-half as old as Mimosa was then. How old
is Mimosa?
Solutions:

Let:
PRESENT AGES: 7 years Ago
Yuno’s age = x =x-7
Mimosa’s age = 45 – x = 45 – x – 7 or 38 - x

Write the Equation: “Seven years ago, Yuno was 16 years more than one-
half as old as Mimosa was then”

38−𝑥
x – 7 = 2 + 16 Multiply each term by 2.
2x – 14 = 38 – x + 32 Simplify right side of the Equation.
2x – 14 = 70 – x Combine like terms.
3x = 84 Divide both side by 3.
x = 28

Therefore, if x = 28, and Mimosa’s age is written as “45 – x”, meaning

Mimosa is 17 years old now.

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EXERCISES

BASIC
Complete the table below.

Carol is three times as old as Diane. Represent their ages 5 years ago
and 8 years from now.

Present Ages 5 years ago 8 years from

now
Diane x

Carol

INTERMEDIATE

Solve the following problems.

1. Cathy is five times as old as Thess. The sum of their ages is 102. Find
their ages.

2. Cris is 2 years older than Nirma. His sister, Myla, is one more than
three times the age of Nirma. The sum of their ages nine years from
now is 65. Find their present ages.

3. Mr. Sta. Maria is five years older than his wife. Five years ago, his age
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was 3 her age. What will be their ages 8 years from now?

4. Allison is seven less than three times the age of Jennifer. Six years
ago, one-fourth of the age of Allison is equal to the age of Jennifer
was then. Find their present ages.

5. Margarette is twice as old as Isabela. If the age of Margarette is added

to half of age of Isabella, the result is 60. What are their ages 7 years
ago?

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ADVANCED

Solve the given problems.

1 Luisa is 5 years younger than his sister Sigrid. 8 years from now
she will be four-fifths as old as her sister will be then. How old is
each now?

2 Cha is two years older than Anna, and Marge is three years older
than Cha. A year ago, the product of Anna’s age and Marge’s age
was exactly equal to the square of Cha’s age. What is the current
age of each girl?

Closure

A. Please check the box if you can do it already.

• I can represent information thru models and tables.

• I can solve Age Problem
• I still need guidance in solving Age Problems.

B. If you have questions in mind, please use the space below to address it.
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References

Alferez, Merle S., Duro, Ma. Cecilia A., Alferez, Gerard S. 2004., Intermediate
Algebra. Philippines, MSA Publishing House.,

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