GMAT Exam: A Simple Guide To Solving Word Problems - Ages

In age problems, comparisons are usually made in specified time periods (present, future, or past).

Make a table to organize the age information to help you understand the question.


Example: Jaylon is twice as old as Kyle. Five years from now the sum of their ages will be 46. How old will Jaylon be in 10 years?
Let K = Kyle’s age, in years, now. Then 2K = Jaylon’s age, in years, now.

Make a table to organize the age information.

Write an equation that represents the facts shown in the table. (2K + 5 years) + (K + 5 years) = 46 years

Solve the equation, omitting the units for convenience.

Jaylon will be 34 years old in 10 years.