Shortcuts & Formulas on Problem Based on Ages

To solve the Problem Based on Ages in Quant Section, students require the knowledge of linear equations. This method needs some basic concepts as well as some more time than it deserves. Sometimes it is easier to solve the problems by taking the given choices in account. But this hit-and-trial method proves costly sometimes, when we reach our solution much later. We have tried of questions. Although, we are not able to cover each type of questions in this section, our attempt is to minimize your defficulties.

Have a look at the following questions:-

Ex. 1: The age of the father 3 years ago was 7 times the age of his son. At present, the father’s age is five times that of his son. What are the present ages of the father and the son?

Ex. 2: At present, the age of the father is five times the age of his son. Three years hence, the father’s age would be four times that of his son. Find the present ages of the father and the son.

Ex. 3: Three years earlier, the father was 7 times as old as his son. Three years hence, the father’s age would be four times of his son. What are the present ages of the father and the son? 

Ex. 4: The sum of the ages of a mother and her daughter is 50 yrs. Also 5 yrs ago, the mother’s age was 7 times the age of the daughter. What are the present ages of the mother and the daughter?

Ex. 5: The sum of the ages of a son and father is 56 yrs. After 4 yrs, the age of the father will be three times that of the son. What is the age of the son?

Ex.6: The ratio of the ages of the father and the son at present is 6: 1. After 5 years, the ratio will become 7 : 2. What is the present age of the son? 

By the conventional method:-

Solution: 1.      Let the present age of son = x yrs

Then, the present age of father = 5xyr

3 years ago,

7(x – 3)= 5x – 3

Or, 7x – 21 =5x – 3

Or, 2x =18

x = 9 yrs

Therefore, son’s age = 9 years

Father’s age = 45 years

Solution: 2.      Let the present age of son = x yrs

Then, the present age of father = 5x yrs

3 yrs hence,

4(x+3)= 5x+3

Or, 4x + 12=5x +3

x= 9yrs.

Therefore, son’s age = 9 yrs and father’s age = 45 yrs

Solution: 3.      Let the present age of son = x yrs and the present age of father = y yrs

3 yrs earlier, 7(x – 3) = y – 3   or, 7x – y =18………….(i)

3 yes hence, 4(x+3) = y +3

Or, 4x +12 = y + 3                   or, 4x – y = – 9 …………(ii)

Solving (1) & (2) we get, x = 9 yrs & y =45 yrs

Solution: 4.      Let the age of the daughter be x yrs.

Then, the age of the mother is (50x – x)yrs

5 yrs ago, 7(x – 5) = 50 – x – 5

Or, 8x = 50 – 5 +35 = 80

x =10

Therefore, daughter’s age = 10 yrs and mother’s age = 40yrs

Solution: 5.      Let the age of the son be x yrs.

Then, the age of the father is (56 – x) yrs.

After 4 yrs, 3(x+4) = 56 – x +4

Or, 4x =56 +4 – 12 = 48

x = 12 yrs

Thus, son’s age = 12 yrs.

Solutions: 6.                           

                         Father           :           Son

Present age =        6                 :               1

After 5 yrs =           7                :               2

Son’s age =

 

 

Father’s age =

 

 

Gradestack Method:-

Solution: 1.      Son’s age =

 

 

=9 yrs

and father’s age = 9 × 5 = 45 yrs.

Undoubtably you get confused with the above method, but it is very easy to understand and remember. See the following form of question.

Question: t1 yrs earlier the father’s age was x times that of his son. At present the father’s age is y times that of his son. What are the present ages of the son and the father?

Formula

 

 

 

Solution 2: Son’s age =

 

 

= 9yrs  and father’s age = 9 × 5 =45 yrs

To make more clear, see the following form:

 Questions: The present age of the father is y times the age of his son. t2 yrs hence, the father’s age become z times the age of his son. What are the present ages of the father and his son?

Formula

 

 

Solutions.3:

Son’s age =

 

 

= 9 yrs

To make the above formula clear, see the following form of question.

Questions: t1 yrs earlier, the age of the father was x times the age of his son. t2 yrs hence, the age of the father becomes z times the age of his son. What are the present ages of the son and the father?

Formula         

 

Solutions. 4:

Daughter ‘s age =

 

 

 

 

Thus, daughter’s age = 10 yrs and mother’s age = 40 yrs 

Solutions. 5:   

Son’s age =

 

 

 

 

Note : Do you get the similarities between the above two direct methods? They differ only in sign in the numerator. When the question deals with ‘ago’, a +ve sign exixts and when it deals with ‘after’, a –ve sign exists in the numerator.

Solutions. 6:    Then what formula comes?

Father                :                  Son

Present age =                  x                     :                     y

After T yrs =                   a                      :                     b

Then, Son’s age =

 

 

And, Father’s age =

 

Note:

1. While evaluating the difference of cross-product, always take +ve sign.

2. Both the above direct formulas look similar. The only difference you can find is in the denominators. But it has been simplified as “difference of cross-products” to make it easier to remember. So, with the help of one formula only you can solve both the question.

3. We suggest you to go-through both the methods and choose the better of the two.