Two years ago, a father was five times as old as his son. Two years later, his age will be 8 more than three times the age of the son. Find the present ages of father and son.

Matching exercise

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

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

Let the present age of father be ‘a’ and present age of son be b.

Given, two years ago, a father was five times as old as his son. Two years later, his age will be 8 more than three times the age of the son.

⇒ a – 2 = 5(b – 2)

⇒ a = 5b – 8 ------ (1)

Also, a + 2 = 3(b + 2) + 8

⇒ a = 3b + 12 ----- (2)

Equating (1) and (2)

⇒ 5b – 8 = 3b + 12

⇒ b = 10

From [1], we have
a = 5(10) - 8

Thus father’s age, a = 50 – 8 = 42 Years