Algebra: Age Word Problems

Age problems are algebra word problems that deal with the ages of people currently, in the past or in the future.

How to solve Age Word Problems?

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.

Related Topics: More Algebra Word Problems

How to solve Age Problems Involving A Single Person?

Example:

Five years ago, John’s age was half of the age he will be in 8 years. How old is he now?

Solution:

Step 1: Let x be John’s age now. Look at the question and put the relevant expressions above it.
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:
1. Ten years from now, Orlando will be three times older than he is today. What is his current age?

2. In 20 years, Kayleen will be four times older than she is today. What is her current age?

 Show Step-by-step Solutions

How to solve Age Problems Involving More Than One Person?

Example:

John is twice as old as his friend Peter. Peter is 5 years older than Alice. In 5 years, John will be three times as old as Alice. How old is Peter now?

Solution:
Step 1: Set up a table.

age now age in 5 yrs

John
Peter
Alice

Step 2: Fill in the table with information given in the question.

John is twice as old as his friend Peter. Peter is 5 years older than Alice. In 5 years, John will be three times as old as Alice. How old is Peter now?

Let x be Peter’s age now. Add 5 to get the ages in 5 yrs.

age now age in 5 yrs

John 2x 2x + 5
Peter x x+5
Alice x–5 x–5+5

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)
2x + 5 = 3x

Isolate variable x
x = 5

Answer: Peter is now 5 years old.

Example:

John’s father is 5 times older than John and John is twice as old as his sister Alice. In two years time, the sum of their ages will be 58. How old is
John now?

Solution:

Step 1: Set up a table.

age now age in 2 yrs

John’s father
John
Alice

Step 2: Fill in the table with information given in the question.

John’s father is 5 times older than John and John is twice as old as his sister Alice. In two years time, the sum of their ages will be 58. How old is
John now?

Let x be John’s age now. Add 2 to get the ages in 2 yrs.

age now age in 2 yrs

John’s father 5x 5x + 2
John x x+2
Alice

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:
Ben is eight years older than Sarah. 10 years ago, Ben is twice as old as Sarah. Currently, how old is Ban and Sarah?

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Algebra word problems with multiple ages
Example:
Mary is three times as old as her son. In 12 years, Mary's age will be one year less than twice her son's age. How old is each now?

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Algebra word problem with past and present ages
Example:
Arun is 4 times as old as Anusha is today. Sixty years ago, Arun was 6 times as old as Anusha. How old are they today?

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Algebra age word problem with past, present, and future ages
How to organize the data using a table and solve using a system of linear equations?
Examples:
1. Sally is 3 times as old as John. 8 years from now, Sally will be twice as old as John. How old is John?
2. Kim is 6 years more than twice Timothy's age. 2 years ago, Kim was three times as old as Timothy. How old was Kim 2 years ago?

3. Leah is 2 less than 3 times Rachel's age. 3 years from now, Leah will be 7 more than twice Rachel's age. How old will Rachel be in 3 years from
now?

4. Becca is twice as old as Susan and Greg is 9 years older than Susan. 3 years ago, Becca was 9 less than 3 times Susan's age. How old is Greg
now?

5. Lauren is 3 less than twice Andrew's age. 4 years from now, Sam will be 2 more than twice Andrew's age. 5 years ago, Sam was three times
Andrew's age. How old was Lauren 5 years ago?

6. Gabby is 1 year more than twice Larry's age. 3 years from now, Megan will be 27 less than twice Gabby's age. 4 years ago, Megan was 1 year less
than 3 times Larry's age. How old will Megan be 3 years from now?