If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website. If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.
If the problem involves a single person, then it is similar to an Integer Problem. Read the problem carefully to determine the relationship between the numbers. This is shown in the examples involving a single person. If the age problem involves the ages of two or more people then using a table would be a good idea. A table will help you to organize the information and to write the equations. This is shown in the examples involving more than one person. How To Solve Age Problems Involving A Single Person?Example: Solution: Step 2: Write out the equation. Isolate variable x Answer: John is now 18 years old. How To Use Algebra To Solve Age Problems?Examples:
How To Solve Age Problems Involving More Than One Person?Example: Solution:
Step 2: Fill in the table with information given in the question. Let x be Peter’s age now. Add 5 to get the ages in 5 yrs.
Write the new relationship in an equation using the ages in 5 yrs. In 5 years, John will be three times as old as Alice. 2x + 5 = 3(x – 5 + 5) Isolate variable x Answer: Peter is now 5 years old. Example: Solution:
Step 2: Fill in the table with information given in the question. Let x be John’s age now. Add 2 to get the ages in 2 yrs.
Write the new relationship in an equation using the ages in 2 yrs. In two years time, the sum of their ages will be 58. Answer: John is now 8 years old. How To Solve Word Problems With Multiple Ages?Example:
Algebra Word Problems With Multiple Ages
Algebra Word Problem With Past And Present Ages
Algebra Age Word Problem With Past, Present, And Future Ages Examples:
Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations. We welcome your feedback, comments and questions about this site or page. Please submit your feedback or enquiries via our Feedback page.
One application of linear equations is what are termed age problems. When solving age problems, generally the age of two different people (or objects) both now and in the future (or past) are compared. The objective of these problems is usually to find each subject’s current age. Since there can be a lot of information in these problems, a chart can be used to help organize and solve. An example of such a table is below.
Joey is 20 years younger than Becky. In two years, Becky will be twice as old as Joey. Fill in the age problem chart, but do not solve.
Using this last statement gives us the equation to solve: B + 2 = 2 ( B − 18)
Carmen is 12 years older than David. Five years ago, the sum of their ages was 28. How old are they now?
Filling in the chart gives us:
The last statement gives us the equation to solve: Five years ago, the sum of their ages was 28 Therefore, Carmen is David’s age (13) + 12 years = 25 years old.
The sum of the ages of Nicole and Kristin is 32. In two years, Nicole will be three times as old as Kristin. How old are they now?
Filling in the chart gives us:
The last statement gives us the equation to solve: In two years, Nicole will be three times as old as Kristin If Nicole is 25 years old, then Kristin is 32 − 25 = 7 years old.
Louise is 26 years old. Her daughter Carmen is 4 years old. In how many years will Louise be double her daughter’s age?
Filling in the chart gives us:
The last statement gives us the equation to solve: In how many years will Louise be double her daughter’s age? In 18 years, Louise will be twice the age of her daughter. For Questions 1 to 8, write the equation(s) that define the relationship.
Solve Questions 9 to 20.
Answer Key 7.9 |