Using Equations in

Solving Age Problem

e-math
Elementary Algebra
By: Karla Mae S. Glavez
SPCP
• In dealing with age problems, it is
important to keep in mind that the ages of
different people change at the same rate.
For example, after two years, all the
people in the given problem are two years
older than they were two years ago. Four
years ago, all the people in the problem
were four years younger.
• Also, it is easier if one makes a table
showing the representation for
current ages in the problem, “future”
ages (a number of years from now),
and “past” ages ( a number of years
ago).
• If possible, represent the youngest
present age by a single letter, then
represent the other ages. This process is
illustrated in the following examples.

example:

Next. . .
 example 1
• EXAMPLE 1:
• Alvin is now 21 years older than his son. In 8
years, he will be twice as old as his son’s age.
What are their present ages?
• SOLUTION:
• READ: Reading the problem thoroughly,
we fin a relationship between the present ages of
Alvin and his son and the relationship of their
ages 8 years from now.
• REPRESENT: Using the relationship
between the present ages, we have
• Let x = the son’s present
age
• RELATE: Then, x + 21 = Alvin’s
present age
•
• After 8 years, each age is
increasen by 8: x + 8 and x + 29 as given
 FUTURE ( 8
NOW YEARS FROM
NOW)
son x x+8
Alvin x + 21 x + 29

Using the vsecong relationship: In 8 years, Alvin’s age is twice his son’s age, we have
x + 29 = 2 ( x + 8)
SOLVE: Manipulating the equation, we have
x + 29 = 2(x + 8)
x + 29 = 2x + 16
x = 13
• ANSWERS: x = 13 son’s age
x + 21 = 13 + 21 = 34 Alvin’s age
• PROOF: Alvin’s age is 21 years more
than his son’s age: 34 = 13 + 21.
In 8 years:
son: 13 + 8 = 21
Alvin: 29 + 13 = 42
Alvin’s age is twice his son’s age:
42 = 2 (21)
• 42 = 42
 Example 2
• The sum of Patrick’s age and Marko’s age
is 58. Eight years ago, Patrick was twice
as old as Marko then. How old is Marko?
• SOLUTION:
• READ: We find that we have a
relationship between their present ages
and their ages 8 years ago.
• REPRESENT: Let x = Marko’s present
age
• RELATE: Then 58 –
x = Patrick’s
present age
We
subtract 8 years NOW Past ( 8
from each as shown Years
in the table below. Ago)
Mako x x-8

Patrick 58 - x 50 - x
• EQUATE: The second relationship gives us
our equation: Eight years ago, Patrick was twice
as old as Marko then.
50 – x = 2(x – 8)
SOLVE: Manipulating the equation, we have:
50 – x = 2(x – 8)
50 – x = 2x – 16
3x = 66
x = 22
• ANSWERS: x = 22 Marko’s age
58 – x = 36 Patrick’s age
• PROOF: The sum of their ages is 58:
Marko’s age = 22
• Patrick’s
age = 36
• Add
58
• Eight years ago, Patrick was twice
as old as Marko then:
• 36 – 8 = 2(22 – 8)
• 28 = 2(14)
• 28 = 28
 Example 3
• Aries is twice as old as Rico while Jake is 24
years younger than Aris. If half of Aries’ age six
years ago was three less than one-half the sum of
Rico’s age in four years and Jake’s present age,
find the ages of each.
• SOLUTION:
• Let x = Rico’s present age
• Then 2x = Aries’ present age
• And 2x – 24 = Jake’s present age
 Now Past (6 Future
Years ( Years
Ago) From
Now)
Rico x x–6 x+4

Aries 2x 2x – 6 2x + 4

Jake 2x - 24 2x – 30 2x – 20

Half of Aries’ age 6 years ago was 3 les than one-half the sum of Rico’s age in 4
years and Jake’s present age:
½ (2x – 6) = ½ [(x + 4) + (2x – 24)] – 3
2x -6 = x + 4 + 2x – 24 -6
2x – 6 = 3x -26
x = 20
• ANSWERS: x = 20 Rico’s age
• 2x = 40 Aires’ age
• 2x – 24 = 16 Jake’s age
• PROOF: Arie’s is twice as old as Rico: 40
= 2(20)
• 40 = 40
• Jake’s is 24 years younger than Aries:
16 = 40 -24
• 16 = 16
• Half of Aries’ age 6 years ago was 3
less than one-half the sum of Rico’s age in 4 years
and Jakes present age:
• ½ (34) = ½ (24 + 16) -3
• 17 = 20 – 3
• 17 = 17
 Example 4
• Mrs. Canteno is 40 years old and her eldest
daughter is 12. When will the mother be twice
as old as her eldest daughter?
• SOLUTION:
• Letx = the number of years that mother will
be twice as old as her eldest daughter.
• Then 40 + x = mother’s age in x years.
• And 12 + x = daughter’s age in x years
 Now FUTURE ( X YEARS
FROM NOW)
Mother 40 40 + x

Daughter 12 12 + x

Mother will be twice as old as her eldest daughter:

40 + x = 2(12 + x )
40 + x = 24 + 2x
Proof:
Mother’s age in 16 years: 40 + 16 = 56
Daughter’s age in 16 years: 12 + 16 = 28
56 = 2 (28)
56 = 56
 EXERCISES:
1.) Mercy is 17 years old now. Represent her age –
a. 2 years from now c. x years from now e. x +
7 years hence
b. 3 years ago d. 2x years ago
2.) Melchor is m years old now. Represent his age –
a. 15 years from now c. a years ago e. 5x
years from now
b. 11 years ago d. n + 5 years ago
3.) Mr. Matthew Matics is y + 5 years old now. Represent his
age –
a. 3 years ago d. 5y years from now
b. 8 years from now e. 3y – 5 years from now
c. 2y + 3 years ago
4.) In 4 years, Mr5. Parabola will be 17 years old. Represent
his age –
a. now c. 6 years from now e. a – 3 from now
b. 8 years ago d. x years ago
 5.) Arielle will be 57 years old p years from now. Represent her age –
a. now c. 4 years from now e. m years ago
b. 3 years ago d. m years from now
6.) Five years ago, Edwin was 27 years old. Represent his age –
a. at present c. 5 years from now e. q years from now
b. 3 years from now d. q years ago
7.) P years ago, Mr. Reyes was Q years old. Represent his age –
a. at present c. 5 years ago e. P + 4 years ago
b. 2 years from now d. R years from now
 ANSWERS
1.) C.
2.) C.
3.) D.
4.) B.
5.) D.
6.) C.
7.) D.
 Solve each of the
following
1.) Mr. Reyes is 25 years older than his son.
How old are the father and the son if Mr.
Reyes is 5 more then thrice as old as his
son?