Problems on Ages for Quantitative Aptitude

Problems on ages is a common topic from which questions are asked in almost all Government exams in the quantitative aptitude section. 

The questions from this section may seem to be confusing and complicated, but once a candidate understands the concept well, he/she can easily score marks for these types of questions.

Candidates can check the Quantitative Aptitude syllabus, sample questions and the exams in which this section is included at the linked article.

In this article, we shall discuss in detail the type of questions which are asked in the various Government exams along with the tips and tricks which may help you solve the questions faster and efficiently. Candidates can also check some basic formulas to solve age-based questions further below in this article.

Given below are a few links which may help candidates prepare for the quantitative aptitude section for the upcoming competitive exams:

Problems on Ages Questions with Solutions PDF:-Download PDF Here

The problems based on age asked in the quantitative aptitude section are kind of brain teasers, which when read at first may seem to be complex, but when solved step by step are easy to answer. 

Questions from this section mostly are asked for 2-3 marks but there are chances of age-based questions being asked as a part of the data sufficiency or data interpretation. So it is important that the concept is clear to each and every candidate. 

As the name suggests, the questions are word problems based on the ages of the people. They may be asked in equation form or direct form. 

Candidates who are not much familiar with the concept and tend to either skip the age problems or answer them incorrectly can refer to the tips given below. These tips may help you answer the question following a set pattern and then finding the answer.

1. The most important thing is to read the question carefully and gradually form the equation which shall help you answer the question.
2. Basic things like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division will help a candidate reach the answer and no complicated calculations are required to answer such questions.
3. Arrange the values given by placing them correctly in an equation by giving variables to the unknown values
4. Once the equation has been formed, solve the equation to find the answer.
5. The final step is to recheck the answer obtained by placing it in the equation formed to ensure that no error has been made while calculating.

The ‘problems on ages’ is one such topic which is not just asked in the first or the preliminary phase of examination but questions from this topic may also be asked in the mains phase of examination in a rather complex manner.

Candidates can check the detailed syllabus for various Government exams at the links mentioned below:

Given below are a few formulas related to the problems on ages which may help to answer the questions quicker and also get a better idea of the concept:

• If you are assuming the current age to be x, then the age after n years will be (x+n) years.
• If you are assuming the current age to be x, then the age before n years will be (x-n) years.
• If the age is given in the form of a ratio, for example, p:q, then the age shall be considered as qx and px
• If you are assuming the current age to be x, then n times the current age will be (x×n) years
• If you are assuming the current age to be x, then 1/n of the age shall be equal to (x/n) years

The above-mentioned tricks shall help you crack the equation easily and more efficiently. 

The more questions a candidate solves, he is more likely to understand the concept and increase their speed in answering the age problems quickly without making mistakes.

Thus, to help candidates, given below are a few sample Problems on Ages questions along with their solution.

Q 1. The present age of Aradhana and Aadrika is in the ratio 3:4. 5 years back, the ratio of their ages was 2:3. What is the present age of Aradhana?

1. 12 years
2. 15 years
3. 20 years
4. 22 years
5. 10 years

Answer: (2) 15 years

Solution:

Let the present age of Aradhana be 3x

Let the present age of Aadrika be 4x

5 years back, Aradhana’s age = (3x-5) years

5 years back, Aadrika’s age = (4x-5)

According to the question, (3x-5) : (4x-5) = 2:3

⇒(3x-5) ÷ (4x-5) = 2/3

⇒3(3x-5) = 2(4x-5)

⇒9x-15 = 8x-10

⇒x = 5

Therefore, Aradhana’s current age = 3×5 = 15 years

Q 2. If the total ages of Iqbal and Shikhar is 12 years more than the total age of Shikhar and Charu. Charu is how many years younger than Iqbal?

1. 11 years
2. 13 years
3. 15 years
4. None of the above
5. Cannot be Determined

Answer: (4) None of the Above

Solution:

Let the age of Iqbal be x

Let the age of Shikhar be y

Let the age of Charu be z

Then, according to question, 

(x+y) – (y+z) = 12

⇒x+y-y-z = 12

⇒x-z = 12

Thus, Charu is 12 years younger than Iqbal

Q 3. A father is twice as old as his daughter. If 20 years ago, the age of the father was 10 times the age of the daughter, what is the present age of the father?

1. 40 years
2. 32 years
3. 33 years
4. 45 years
5. 22 years

Answer: (4) 45 years

Solution:

Let the present age of the father be 2x

So, the present age of the daughter = x

According to the question, 

⇒2x-20 = 10(x-20)

⇒2x-20 = 10x – 200

⇒8x = 180

⇒x= 22.5

Thus, the present age of father = 22.5 × 2 = 45 years

Q 4. Arun is 2 years older than Bharat who is twice as old as Charat. If the total of the ages of Arun, Bharat and Charat be 27, then how old is Bharat?

1. 10 years
2. 12 years
3. 15 years
4. 13 years
5. 11 years

Answer: (1) 10 years

Solution:

Let the present age of Charat be x

So, Bharat’s present age = 2x

And Arun’s present age = 2+2x

According to the question,

x+2x+2+2x = 27

⇒5x+2 = 27

⇒5x=25

⇒x=5

So, Bharat’s age = 2×5 = 10 years

Q 5. The sum of the ages of a daughter and mother is 56 years; after four years the age of the mother will be three times that of the daughter. What is the age of the daughter and the mother, respectively?

1. 12 years, 41 years
2. 12 years, 30 years
3. 11 years, 34 years
4. 12 years, 44 years
5. 21 years, 42 years

Answer: (4) 12 years, 44 years

Solution:

Let the present age of the mother be x years and the present age of the daughter be y years

According to the question, x+y = 56 —- (1)

After 4 years, age of the Mother = x+4

Age of the daughter after 4 years = y+4

So, 

x+4 = 3 (y+4) —- (2)

x+4 = 3y + 12

From the equation (1) we get, x = 56-y

Thus, keep the value of x in equation 2, we get

(56-y) + 4 = 3y + 12

⇒60 – y = 3y + 12

⇒y = 12

So, the daughter’s present age is 12 years

Mother’s present age = 56-12 = 44 years

Few more sample questions have been given in the PDF given below:

Problems on Ages Questions with Solutions PDF:-Download PDF Here

The questions given above will help you understand how to form the equations to solve the Age problem questions and what type of questions may be asked from this topic.

Candidates who are preparing for the upcoming Government exams must prepare every topic equally well and for any assistance regarding the study material or preparation tips, they can turn to BYJU’S.

Given below are a few other links which may help candidates prepare for the competitive exams: