Math & Algebra Tool

Age Word Problems

Solve common algebra riddles involving the ages of two people.

Σ The Formula

A = B + Difference

Real World Examples

The Multiple Riddle
John is 20 years older than Ben. In 5 years, John will be twice as old as Ben. (John: 35, Ben: 15)
The Sum Riddle
Mary is 4 years older than Sue. The sum of their ages is 40. (Mary: 22, Sue: 18)

# About This Calculator

Age word problems are standard algebra exercises that test your ability to translate written language into mathematical equations. They typically involve comparing two people's ages at different points in time (past, present, or future).

The key to solving these is identifying the "anchors": 1. **Relationships**: "Older than," "Younger than," or "Total sum." 2. **Time Shifting**: Phrases like "In 10 years" or "5 years ago" apply a constant increase or decrease to every individual's age.

Our calculator simplifies these riddles by breaking them down into the two most common patterns seen in textbooks and competitive exams.

How To Use

  1. Choose the problem type: **Compared by Multiple** or **Compared by Sum**.
  2. Enter the age difference between the two people.
  3. Enter either the future time/multiplier OR the total sum.
  4. Click Calculate to see the ages and the algebraic steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ages be negative?+

In these word problems, no. If the calculator returns a negative age, the parameters you entered are mathematically impossible (e.g., asking when someone will be twice as old when they are already three times as old and the gap is increasing).

What if the time is 'Years Ago'?+

You can enter negative values for the 'In T Years' field to represent time in the past.

Is Age Word Problems free to use?+

Yes, Age Word Problems on Matheric is completely free to use. We believe in accessible education and utility for everyone.

How accurate is Age Word Problems?+

We use standard mathematical formulas and high-precision computing algorithms to ensure results for Age Word Problems are accurate for academic and professional use.

Can I use Age Word Problems on my phone?+

Yes! Age Word Problems is fully responsive and optimized for all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.

Do you save my data?+

No. We prioritize your privacy. All calculations are performed in your browser or temporarily processed, and we do not store your personal input data.

About

Age word problems are standard algebra exercises that test your ability to translate written language into mathematical equations. They typically involve comparing two people's ages at different points in time (past, present, or future).

The key to solving these is identifying the "anchors": 1. **Relationships**: "Older than," "Younger than," or "Total sum." 2. **Time Shifting**: Phrases like "In 10 years" or "5 years ago" apply a constant increase or decrease to every individual's age.

Our calculator simplifies these riddles by breaking them down into the two most common patterns seen in textbooks and competitive exams.

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