The ages of two friends Ani and Biju differ by 3 years. Ani’s father Dharam is twice as old as Ani and Biju as twice as old as his sister Cathy. The ages of Cathy and Dharam differ by 30 years. Find the ages of Ani and Biju.

Matching exercise

Match the items on the right to the items on the left.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

Let the ages of Ani, Biju, Dharam and Cathy be a, b, c and d respectively.

Given, ages of two friends Ani and Biju differ by 3 years. Ani’s father Dharam is twice as old as Ani and Biju as twice as old as his sister Cathy. The ages of Cathy and Dharam differ by 30 years.

a – b = 3

c = 2a and b = 2d

c – d = 30

Solving the above four equations

⇒ 2a – b/2 = 30

⇒ 2a – a/2 + 3/2 = 30

⇒ a = 19

Thus, b = 16 years