Question

Five years hence, a man’s age will be three times the sum of the ages of his son. Five years ago, the man was seven times as old as his son. Find their present ages

Answer 1

Let the present age of the man be x years and that of his son be y years.

After 5 years man’s age = x + 5

After 5 years ago son’s age = y + 5

As per the question

x + 5 = 3(y + 5)

⇒ x – 3y = 10   ...(i)

5 years ago man’s age = x – 5

5 years ago son’s age = y – 5

As per the question

x – 5 = 7(y – 5)

⇒ x – 7y = –30   ...(ii)

Subtracting (ii) from (i), we have

4y = 40

⇒ y = 10

Putting y = 10 in (i), we get

x – 3 × 10 = 10

⇒ x = 10 + 30

⇒ x = 40

Hence, man’s present age = 40 years and son’s present age = 10 years.