Quantitative aptitude · lesson 17 of 30 · free

Problems on ages — Quantitative aptitude for kids

Age puzzles look tricky, but one fact makes them easy: in n years everyone is n years older, so the difference between two ages never changes. Turn the clues into parts or a small equation.

▶ Watch how it works

Got it? Practise ↓

The method

Same years for everyone — “n years later or earlier, every age changes by n — the difference never changes”

  1. “k times as old”: the younger is 1 part, the older is k parts.
  2. n years ago or later: change every age by n before using the clue.
  3. Sum and difference: younger = (sum − difference) ÷ 2.
  4. For “in a years … b years ago”, let the age be x and solve.

Use it for: Age puzzles in aptitude and scholarship tests, and early algebra in Class 6–8.

Worked example: 4 years ago, Meera’s mother was four times as old as Meera. The mother is 36 years old now. How old is Meera now? → 12

  1. 4 years ago the mother was 36 − 4 = 32, so Meera was 32 ÷ 4 = 8.
  2. Now Meera is 8 + 4 = 12.

Check: 4 years ago: mother 32, Meera 8, and 32 = 4 × 8 ✓

▶ Watch it animated

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

Right: 0 · Tried: 0

🏁 Lesson 17 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🎂 Age Solver badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 10 lessons of Part 2 · Everyday maths. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Problems on Ages Worksheet

✨ Free AI tutor

Ask the AI tutor about this lesson

Why does it work? When should you use it? Ask in English, मराठी or हिंदी.

Sign in with Google to ask Free — 20 questions a day.

👩‍🏫 Quantitative aptitude classes near you — online or at home

Prefer a real teacher? TalentJR teachers take live online classes anywhere in India and visit homes in selected cities. Tell us what you need and our team will call you with timings and fees.

Live online classesSmall groups or 1:1 with a teacher, from home, any city.
Teacher at homeA TalentJR teacher visits your home (selected cities).
At a centreClasses at a TalentJR partner centre near you, where available.
Badges, certificates & gifts A badge for every lesson you pass, a certificate for every part you finish, plus TalentJR Points for daily practice. Logical reasoning Pair it with logical reasoning — the other half of every aptitude test.