Problems on Ages

Current age is x , then n times the age is nx

The present age is x years, then n years ago= (x-n) years
n years after= (x+n) years
Past- ago, after
Future- Hence, After, Later, Further
Example 1: The ratio of A’s age 3 years ago and B’s age 5 years ago is 4:5. If A is 4 years
younger than B then what is the present age of B?
Method-1 : Let's assume at present A’s age is X and B’s age is Y.
Given, (X-3):(Y-5) = 4:5 and X = Y-4
Solve both equations and then get X and Y.
Method:2 In this type of question, assume only one variable i.e. called base variable. Let A’s
present age is X, then B’s present age is X+4. Students often commit silly mistakes, they tick
the option which has X value but present age of B is asked in question.
So, (A’s 3yrs ago):(B’s 5yrs ago) = 4:5
(X-3): (X+4-5) = 4:5
(X-3): (X-1) = 4:5
5X-15 = 4X-4
X= 11 i.e. A’s Present age
and B’s present age is X+4 = 11+4 = 15yrs.
Example 2: A is 3 years older than B while B is 2 years older than C. The ratio of age of A is
4 years hence and B 3years ago is 5:3. What was the age of C 6 years ago?
Solution: Let present age of B’s is X, then A’s age = X+3 and C’s age = X-2
(Age of A 4yrs hence): (Age of B 4yrs ago) = 5:3
(X+3+4): (X-3) = 5:3
(X+7): (X-3) = 5:3
3X+21 = 5X-15
2X = 36
X = 18
present age of C is X-2 = 18-2 = 16yrs
age of C 6yrs ago = 16-6 = 10yrs
Shortcut: (X+7): (X-3) = 5:3
difference of 5 and 3 is directly proportional to difference of (X+7)and(X-3)
So,(5-3) ∝ (X+7)-(X-3)
2 ∝ 10
1∝ 5
We can write X+7 = 5×5 , X = 18
Hence, age of C 6yrs ago = 10yrs

Example 3. The average age of Atul, Jatin and Sonu is 24years. 2 year ago, the average
age of Atul and Sonu was 23yrs. 2yrs hence the average age of Jatin and Sonu is 26 years.
Find the present age of Sonu? (IBPS PO 2016 Mains)
Solution: Given, average age of Atul, Jatin and Sonu = 24 yrs
∴ total age of Atul, Jatin and Sonu = 24×3 = 72 yrs ….(1)
2yrs ago, average age of Atul and Sonu = 23
2yrs ago, total age of atul and sonu = 46
∴ present total age of atul and sonu = 50 ….(2)
2yrs hence, average age of Jatin and Sonu = 26
2yrs hence, total age of Jatin and Sonu = 52
∴ present total age of Jatin and Sonu = 48 …….(3)
From equation 1, 2 and 3
Present age of Sonu is 26 years.

Example 4: The average age of A and B is 25 years. If C were to replace A, the average
would be 24 and if C were to replace B, the average would be 26. What are the ages of A, B
and C respectively?
Solution: Given, avg. of (A+B) = 25
∴ (A+B) = 50
Avg. of (C+B) = 24
∴ (C+B) = 48
Avg. of (A+C) = 26
∴ (A+C) = 52
Now , A+B+C = (50+48+52)/2
A+B+C = 75
C = 25, A = 27, B = 23

Example 5. The ages of Sona and Mona are in the ratio of 15:17 respectively. After 6 years,
the ratio of their ages will be 9:10. What will be the age of Mona after 6 years?
Solution: Let present age of Sona is 15X, then Mona = 17X
Given, (15X+6) : (17X+6) = 9 : 10
150 X+60 = 153X+54
3X = 6
X = 2 yrs
Age of Mona after 6yrs is (17×2+6) = 40yrs.
Now, we will discuss questions which are asked by some of our students.

Practice Questions
1. The present ages of A,B and C in proportion 4:7:9, eight years ago, the sum of their
ages was 56. find their respective ages (in years)
Solution: Let ratio of present ages of A,B and C is 4x:7x:9x
sum of their ages eight years ago = 56
(4x-8)+(7x-8)+(9x-8) = 56
20x = 80
x=4
A = 4x = 16 years
B = 7x = 28 years
C = 9x = 36 years

2. The sum of the ages of Rinku and Gopal is 40 years. 5 years hence the ratio of their
ages will be 3:7. Find the age of Rinku?
Solution: Given 5yrs hence ratio of ages of Rinku and Gopal is 3:7
let 5yrs hence, age of Rinku = 3X and Gopal = 7X
So, present age of Rinku = 3X-5 and Gopal = 7x-5
Sum of present ages of Rinku and Gopal = 40
(3X-5)+(7X-5) = 40
10X = 50
X=5
present age of Rinku = 3X-5 = 10yrs

3. The present age of Romila is one-fourth that of her father. After 6 years the father’s
age will be twice the age of Kapil. If Kapil celebrated fifth birthday 8 years ago. What is
Romila’s present age?
Solution: Let present age of Romila is X, then Father’s age = 4X
6 years hence,
father’s age = 4X+6
2 (Age of Kapil) = 4X+6
Age of Kapil = 2X+3
Present age of Kapil = 2X+3-6 = 2X-3
Kapil celebrated his 5th birthday 8 years ago
So, Present age of Kapil is 5+8 = 13 years
2X-3 = 13
2X = 16
X = 8years.
Shortcut approach: Kapil celebrated his 5th birthday 8 years ago.
Present age of Kapil = 13
After 6years, the father's age will be twice that of Kapil.
2x(13+6) = 4X+6
X= 8 years

4. A man’s age is 133(1/3)% of what it was 8 years ago, but 80% of what it will be after
8 years. What is his present age?
Solution: Let the present age be X years.
Then 133(1/3)% of (X-8) = X and 80%(X+8) = X
So, 133(1/3)% of (X-8) = 80%(X+8)
4(X-8)/3 = 4(X+8)/5
5(X-8) = 3(X+8)
2X = 64
X = 32
Shortcut: You don’t need to solve both equations. Solve any equation you will get the
answer.
133(1/3)% of (X-8) = X
4(X-8)/3 = X
4X-32 = 3X
X = 32 years.

5. The ratio of the present ages of Tanu and Vanita is 3 : 7. After 4 years
Vanita’s age will be 39 years. What was Tanu’s age 6 years ago?
Explanation: Vanita’s present age = 39 – 4 = 35 years
So, Tanu’s present age = 15 years
Tanu’s age 6 years ago = 9 years
6. The average age of 8 girls is increased by 2 years when two of them whose
ages are 21 years and 23 years are replaced by two new girls. What is the
average age of the two new girls?
Explanation: The sum of the ages of two new girls years

Average years

7. The sum of the present ages of Reema and Komal is 128 years and six years
hence, the ratio of their ages will be 15 : 13 respectively. What is Reema’s
present age?
Explanation: Sum of the present ages of Reema and Komal = 128 years
Six years hence, the sum of the ages of Reema and Komal = 128 + 2 × 6 = 140 years
According to question
Six years hence, the age of Reema = [15/(15 + 13)] × 140 = 75 years
Hence, the present age of Reema’s = 75 – 6 = 69 years.

8. The ages of Mira, Tina and Sania are in the ratio of 6 : 4 : 7 respectively. If
the sum of their ages is 34 years, what is Sania’s age?
Explanation: The ages of Mira, Tina and Sania are 6x, 4x and 7x respectively.
According to question,
6x + 4x + 7x = 34
⇒ 17x = 34
⇒x=2
Sania’s age = 7x = 7 × 2 = 14 years

9. Ritu’s present age is three years less than twice her age 12 years ago. Also,
the ratio of Raj’s present age to Ritu’s present age is 4 : 9. What will be Raj’s
age after 5 years?
Explanation: Let Ritu’s present age be x. As per question, x = (2* (x-12)) - 3, x = 27 years
Also, (Raj’s present age) : Ritu’s present age = 4 : 9, Raj’s present age = 4/9 * 27 = 12 years
Raj’s age after 5 years = 12 + 5 = 17 years.

10. At present Anil is 1.5 times Purvi’s age. Eight years hence, the respective
ratio between Anil and Purvi’s ages will be 25 : 18. What is Purvi’s present
age?
Explanation: Let Purvi’s present age be x years
Therefore Anil’s present age = 1.5x years
After 8 years

27x + 144 = 25x + 200

=>x = 28 years
11. Harsha is 40 yr old and Rith is 60 yr old. How many years ago was the ratio
of their ages 3:5?
Explanation: Let x years ago the ratio of their ages was 3:5.
According to the question,

200 - 5x =180 - 3x
2x = 20
x = 10

12.The ratio of present age of Sonu and Kagana is 4 :7, after four year the
average of the ages of both will be 26 years. Find the sum of their ages (In
years) 7 years ago.
Explanation: let age of Sonu and Kagana is respectively

Sum of their age 7 years ago =

13. The present age of Rakesh is one-fourth of the age of his brother. Five
years hence their ages will be in ratio 2 : 5 then find the age of Rakesh’s
mother if the average age of these three persons is 20 years?
Explanation: Let the present age of Rakesh be x and his brother be 4x.
According to question,
(x + 5)/(4x + 5) = 2/5
⇒ 5x + 25 = 8x + 10
⇒ 3x = 15
⇒x=5
Total age of Rakesh, Rakesh’ brother and their mother = 20 × 3 = 60 years
So, age of Rakesh’s mother = 60 − (5 + 5 × 4)
= 35 years

14. The respective ratio between the present ages of son, mother, father and
grandfather is 2:7:8:12. The average age of sons and mother’s is 27 year. What
will be the mother's age after 7 year?
Explanation: Total age of son and mother
2x + 7x = 2 × 27
9x = 54
x=6
∴ Mother's age after 7 year = 7x + 7
=7×6+7
= 49 year
15. The ratio of the present age of N and D is 27:X. N is 8 years younger than P.
P age after 8 years will be 43 years. The difference between D and N age is the
same as the present age of P. What should come in place of X?
Explanation: P present age = 43-8=35 years
N present age = 35-8=27 years
D present age =27+35=62 years
Ratio of their present age = 27/62
Hence here X=62

16. Kavita is 4 years younger to her brother Ram. Her father was 30 years old
when Kavita's sister was born while her mother was 30 years old when she
was born. If her sister was 4 years old when their brother Ram was born, find
the age of her father when her brother was born.
Explanation: Let Ram's present age = x yrs
So, Kavita's present age = x-4
Sisters age = x+4
Father's age = 30+x+4
Mother's age =30+x-4
Clearly, Father's age when Ram was born = (30+x+4)-x = 34 yrs

17. The present age of the father is 3 years more than three times the age of the son.
Three years later, the father's age will be 10 years more than twice the age of the son.
The fathers present age is?
Explanation: Let present age of son=x years
Present age of Father is = 3x+3
3 years later,
Son’s age= x+3 years
Father’s age=3x+3+3=3x+6 years
3x+6=2(x+3)+10
x=10
Fathers present age= 30+3=33

18. 3 years ago, the average age of a family of 5 members was 17 years. A baby
having been born, the average age of the family is the same today. The present age of
the baby is
Explanation: Sum of ages of 5 members= 17*5=85 years
Sum of their Present ages=85+5*3=100 years
Now, new baby was born,
Sum of the ages of 6 family members= 6*17=102 years
Age of new baby= 102-100=2 years

19. The sum of the ages of a mother and son is 45 years, 5 years ago the product of
their ages was 4 times the mother’s age at that time. The present age of the mother
and son, respectively are
Explanation: Let the present age of mother =x years, Son= 45-x years
Then 5 years ago, (x-5) and (45-x-5)
Acc to the Question:
(x-5)(40-x)=4(40-x)
x=9 and mothers age= 45-9=36 years

20. Ten years ago, the average age of P and Q was 20 years. Average age of P,Q and R
is 30 years. After 10 years, the age of R will be
Explanation: sum of present ages of P and Q=40+2*10=60 years
Present age of P, Q, R = 30*3= 90 years
R’s present age = 90-60=30 years
After 10 years R’s age= 30+10=40 years

21. After 4 years, a mother will be twice the age of her daughter at that time. If the sum
of their present ages is 46. What is the present age of the daughter?
Explanation: Present age of daughter be x years,
Mothers age= 46-x years
After 4 years, Daughters age= (x+4) years
Mothers age= (46-x+4) years= (50-x) years
Acc to the Question
50 - x= 2(x+4)
x=14 years
Thus, daughters present age= 14 years

22. The present age of Ram, Shyam and Mohan are in the ratio of 6:7:9 and ratio of
ages of shyam, mohan and sohan is 8:5:3. If the age of sohan is 54 years then find the
difference between shyam and Mohan’s age
Explanation: Ratio of ages of Shyam , mohan and Sohan= 8:5:3
Age of sohan= 54
Therefore, age of shyam=54*8/3=144
Age of mohan= 54*5/3=90
Difference in shyam and Mohan age= 144-90=54 years

23. If 3 years ago, the ratio between the ages A and B was 6:7 and the sum of their
ages at present is 58 years, what is the ratio of their present ages?
Explanation: 3 years ago, A’s age= 6x years B’s age= 7x years
Acc to the question
6x+3+7x+3=58
13x=58-6
x=4
Required ratio= (6x+3):(7x+3)=27:31

24. The sum of ages of father and son is 62 years. If 7 years ago fathers age was 5
times of his son’s age. The age of son after 6 years will be
Explanation: Father+son=62 years’
Sum of ages 7 years ago, 62-14=48 years
Ratio of Father: son= 5:1
6P —-48 years
1P—---?(48/6)=8 years
Son’s present age= 8+7=15 years
Son’s age 6 years from present = 15+6=21 years
25. The average age of A and B, 2 years ago, was 32. If the age of A, 5 years hence is
38 years, and B is 5 years younger to C, Then find the difference between the age of A
and C?
Explanation: Present age of A and B be X and Y respectively
(x-2)+(y-2)/2 = 32, x+y=68
Present age of A, x=33
Present age of B, y=35
Given B is 5 years younger to c,
Age of c, y+5=35+5, c=40
Difference between ages of A and C, 40-33=7 years

26. Mother is 4 times the age of her son. if after 5 years, she would be three times of
son’s age, then after 15 years, how many times would she be of her son’s age?
Explanation: let present age of son=x years, present age of mother= 4x
After 5 years,
3(x+5)=4x+5
x=10
Present age of mother and son is 40a nd 10 years
15 years hence, ages of son and mother will be 25 years and 55 years
Mothers age will be 11/5 times of son’s age

27. A fathers age is three times the sum of the ages of his two children, but 20 years
hence his age will be equal to the sum of ages of his children. The fathers age is
Explanation: Let the age of father and his sons be x, y and z years
Acc to Question
x=3(y+z)-----(1)
20 years hence, fathers age= (x+20)
Age of two sons= (y+20) and (z+20) years
Acc to the question
(x+20)=(y+20)+(z+20)
x+20=y+z+40
x-(y+z)=20—--(2)
Put the value of x in above equn
We get 3(y+z)-(y+z)=20
2(y+z)=20
Put the value of y+z in eqn (1)
We get x= 3*10= 30 years

28. 5 years ago, the ratio of the ages of x and y was 2:3 and after 5 years, it will be 3:4.
What is the present age ( in years ) of x?
Explanation: let the ages of x and y= 2x and 3x
2x+5+5/ 3x+5+5= ¾
8x+40=9x+30
x=10
Present age of x= 2x+5=25 years
29. The sum of the ages of 4 childrens born at the intervals of 4 years is 48. Find the
age of the youngest child
Explanation: let the age of youngest child is x years
Acc to the qun
x+x+4+x+8+x+12=48
4x+24=48
x=6
So, age of youngest child is 6 years

30. The ages of two persons differ by 16 years. If 6 years ago, the elder one is 3 times
as old as the younger one, find the sum of their present ages
Explanation: younger person be x years
Elder person (x+16) years
Acc to the qn
3(x-6)=x+16-6
2x=28
x=14
Their present ages are 14 years nad 30 years
Sum of ages= 14+30=44 years

31.3 years ago johns age was 12 years and Shankar's age was 15 years what will be
their average age after 5 years from now
Explanation: Johns present age=15
Johns age after 5 years = 20 years
Shankar present age= 18 years
Shankar’s age 5 years later= 23 years
Average age after 5 years = (20+23)/2 = 21.5

32. Meera got married 6 years ago. Today her age is 1(1/4) times her age at the time of
her marriage. Her son’s age is 1/10 times her age. What is the present age of her son
Explanation: Age of Meera at her marriage was x years
Present age of Meera= (x+6) years
ATQ
x+6=5x/4
x=24
Present age of Meera= 24+6=30 years
Meera’s son’s age= 1/10* age of meera=1/10*30=3 years

33. The present age of a manoj is twice the sum of the ages of his two children. After
20 years, the age of Manoj will become equal to the sum of the ages of his two
children. What is the present age of Manoj?
Explanation: Present age of Manoj be M and their children’s age be C1 and C2
Acc to the qn
M=2(C1+C2)------(1)
M+20=C1+20+C2+20
M=C1+C2+20—--(2)
By putting the value of 2 in 1
M=2(M-20)
M=40

34. The average age of Rahul and Preet is 49 years. The average age of Preet and
Gyani is 38 years. The average age of Rahul and Gyani is 44 years. What will be the
age( in years ) of the youngest of the three after 10 years ?
Explanation: Sum of ages of R and P=98 years—-(1)
Sum of ages of P and G=96 years—--(2)
Sum of ages of R and G =88 years—--(3)
Adding 1, 2 and 3
R+P+G=131—--(4)
From R+P=98—---(5)
From 4 and 1
G=33 years
After 10 years G=33+10=43 years

35. The sum of the ages of a mother and daughter is 50 years. Also 5 years ago, the
mothers age was 7 times the age of the daughter. The present ages of the mother and
daughter respectively
Explanation: Daughters presents age= x years , mothers present age= 50-x years
Now, after 5 years
7(x-5)=50-x-5
x=10
Present ages of mother and daughter are 40 years and 10 years respectively.

36. Krish is 5 years younger than Parthiv. 8 years ago three times the age of krish was
10 more than twice the age of parthiv. Find Krish’s present age.
Explanation: Krish present age be x
Parthiv’s present age is x+5
8 years ago three times the age of krish was 10 more than twice the age of Parthiv
3(x-8)=10+2(x+5-8)
x=28

37. B is 3 years elder than A but twice as old as C. If their average age is 14 years, find
the present age of B.
Explanation: B=A+3=2C
A+B+C=42
B-3+b+b/2=42
5/2B=45
b=18

38. Bobby is now 18 years old. Whereas his cousin is 7 years old. After how many
years will bobby’s age be 1.5 times that of his cousin
Explanation: 18+x=1.5*(7+x)
18+x=10.5+1.5x
x=75/5=15 years

39. The average age of three persons named A, B and C is 9 years. If B is 2 years
younger than A and twice as old as C, then how old is B?
Explanation: A+B+C=3*9=27
B=A-2 and B=2C
Then B+2+B+B/2=27
5B/2=25
B=10

40. The ages of P, Q and R together are 57 years. Q is thrice as old as P and R is 12
years older than P. Then the difference between ages of Q and R is
Explanation: Q=3P and R=P+12
P+Q+R=57
P+3P+P+12=57
P=9 years
Q=3*9=27 years
R=9+12=21 years
Difference between the ages of Q and R=27-21=6 years