Age word problems, step by step
Age problems are the friendly way into algebra: one unknown, a comparison, and sometimes a jump into the future.
The question
How old is the footbridge?
The stone bridge is 3 times as old as the footbridge, and is 54 years older.
3 − 1 = 2
3 − 1 = 2
54 ÷ 2 = 27 years
asked:How old is the footbridge?
27 years
- Read it through once. One is a MULTIPLE of the other, so think in equal PARTS: the smaller one is a single part, and the bigger one is that many parts.
- The gap between them is the EXTRA parts — one fewer than the multiple: 3 − 1 = 2 parts of difference.
- One part is the smaller age, so divide by the 2 parts: 54 ÷ 2 = 27 years.
- Answer the question that was asked — "How old is the footbridge?" — 27 years.
How it works.
- 01
Read it through once. One is a MULTIPLE of the other, so think in equal PARTS: the smaller one is a single part, and the bigger one is that many parts.
- 02
The gap between them is the EXTRA parts — one fewer than the multiple: 3 − 1 = 2 parts of difference.
- 03
One part is the smaller age, so divide by the 2 parts: 54 ÷ 2 = 27 years.
- 04
Answer the question that was asked — "How old is the footbridge?" — 27 years.