Algebra: Age Word Problems

Solving Age Word Problems

Solving algebra age problems involves translating the word problem into algebraic equations and then solving those equations to find the unknown ages.

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 following example 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 age problems: examples involving more than one person.

Age Problems Involving A Single Person

The following diagram shows how to solve an age word problem involving one person. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions.

 

Algebra Worksheets
Practice your skills with the following Algebra worksheets:
Printable & Online Algebra Worksheets

Check out many other Algebra Word Problems
Age Word Problems, Average Word Problems, Coin Word Problems, Consecutive Integer Word Problems, Digit Word Problems, Distance Word Problems, Fraction Word Problems, Geometry Word Problems, Integer Word Problems, Interest Word Problems, Lever Word Problems, Mixture Word Problems, Money Word Problems, Motion & Distance Word Problems, Number Sequence Word Problems, Proportion Word Problems, Quadratic Equation Word Problems, Ratio Word Problems, Symbol Word Problems, Variation Word Problems, Work Word Problems.

Example 1:
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.

More Examples Age Word Problems

Examples:

1. In 4 years, Ali will be 3 times as old as he is today. How old is Ali today?
2. Nazrat is 4 years older than Unama. 2 years ago, Nazrat was 5 times as old as Unama. How old is Nazrat today?

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Age Word Problems (Algebra I: Linear Equations)

Example:
In 40 years, Imran will be 11 times as old as he is right now. How old is he right now?

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Example:
William is 4 times as old as Ben. 12 years ago, William was 7 times as old as Ben. How old is Ben now?

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Age Word Problems In Algebra - Past, Present, Future (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 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 3 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?

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