This page covers SSC GD Constable Ages Problems with complete concept notes, 15 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Core Concept
Age problems involve finding current ages or ages at specific times when given ratios between different people's ages. The key insight is that while individual ages change over time, age differences remain constant
Key Rules
First, age difference between two people never changes. If A is 5 years older than B today, A will always be 5 years older. Second, when we add or subtract the same number of years to different ages, their ratio changes. Third, present age problems often give ratios at two different time points.
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
• If ratio of ages is a:b, then ages are ax and bx where x is common factor
• After n years: (current age + n)
• Before n years: (current age - n)
• Age difference = |ax - bx| = |a - b|x
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL typically asks three types - current age ratios with future/past conditions, age ratios at two different time points, and problems involving sum of ages with ratios. Questions often involve 2-3 people with time shifts of 2-10 years.
ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
For two-time-point problems, use the 'difference method'. If ratio changes from a:b to c:d after n years, then (cx-ax) = (dx-bx) where x is the time difference. This eliminates one variable immediately.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Let current ages be 3x and 4x
2
Step 2
After 6 years, ages become (3x+6) and (4x+6)
3
Step 3
New ratio = (3x+6):(4x+6) = 4:5
4
Step 4
Cross multiply: 5(3x+6) = 4(4x+6)
5
Step 5
15x + 30 = 16x + 24
6
Step 6
30 - 24 = 16x - 15x
7
Step 7
6 = x
8
Step 8
Current ages are 3×6 = 18 years and 4×6 = 24 years
Verification: After 6 years, ages are 24 and 30, ratio = 24:30 = 4:5 ✓
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students often forget to add/subtract years from both ages equally. Another error is setting up wrong equations when dealing with 'before' scenarios - remember to subtract years, not add them.
Key Points to Remember
Age difference between two people remains constant throughout their lives
Current ages in ratio a:b can be written as ax and bx
After n years formula: current age + n, Before n years: current age - n
When same number is added to numerator and denominator, ratio changes
Cross multiplication method works best for solving age ratio equations
Sum of ages increases by (number of people × years passed)
Two time-point problems require setting up two separate ratio equations
Always verify your answer by checking if it satisfies given conditions
Exam-Specific Tips
Age problems appear in 1-2 questions per SSC CGL Tier-1 paper consistently
Most common time shifts asked are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 years
Three-person age problems have appeared in 15% of recent SSC papers
Father-son age problems typically use ratios like 5:2, 7:3, or 9:4
Age sum problems often involve total ages of 60, 80, 100, or 120 years
Present age is usually a multiple of the ratio terms in 80% of questions
Negative age solutions indicate error in problem setup or calculation
Practice MCQs
Ages Problems — Practice Questions
15graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis
The ratio of the present ages of Arun and Bhavna is 5:3. If Arun is 20 years older than Bhavna, what is Bhavna's present age?
Practice 2easy
Five years ago, the ratio of Chitra's age to Deepak's age was 4:5. If Deepak is currently 30 years old, what is Chitra's current age?
Practice 3easy
The ratio of Esha's age to Faisal's age is 7:5. If the sum of their ages is 60 years, what is the difference between their ages?
Practice 4easy
The ratio of Isha's age to Jaya's age is 3:2. After 6 years, the ratio will be 9:7. What is Isha's current age?
Practice 5easy
Karan's age is 3 times Lata's age. If the sum of their ages is 48 years, what will be the ratio of their ages after 4 years?
Practice 6medium
The ratio of the present ages of Arun and Bhavna is 5:3. After 6 years, the ratio of their ages will be 7:5. What is Arun's present age?
Practice 7medium
Five years ago, the ratio of Priya's age to Qasim's age was 4:5. Five years hence, the ratio will be 6:7. What is Qasim's present age?
Practice 8medium
The ratio of ages of Mona and Nisha is 7:5. If Mona is 8 years older than Nisha, what will be the ratio of their ages after 10 years?
Practice 9medium
Divya's age is 3 times Esha's age. After 5 years, Divya's age will be 2.5 times Esha's age. What is the sum of their present ages?
Practice 10medium
The ratio of Farhan's age to Gita's age is 5:4. The ratio of Gita's age to Hina's age is 3:2. If Farhan is 30 years old, what is Hina's present age?
Practice 11hard
The ratio of the present ages of Arun and Bhavna is 5:7. After 8 years, the ratio of their ages will be 3:4. If Chitra's current age is 4 years less than Arun's current age, what will be Chitra's age after 6 years?
Practice 12hard
Five years ago, the ratio of Priya's age to Deepak's age was 2:3. Ten years from now, the ratio will be 4:5. What is the sum of their present ages?
Practice 13hard
The ratio of ages of Mohan and Sohan is currently 7:5. Twelve years ago, the ratio was 3:2. After how many years will the ratio of their ages be 9:7?
Practice 14hard
The sum of the present ages of Ravi and Sita is 60 years. The ratio of their ages 5 years ago was 2:3. After how many years will their ages be in the ratio 3:4?
Practice 15hard
Kavya's age is 3/4 of Lavanya's age. If the ratio of their ages 8 years hence will be 7:8, what is Lavanya's present age?
60-Second Revision — Ages Problems
Formula: Ages in ratio a:b = ax and bx where x is common multiplier
Remember: Age difference = constant, so |older age - younger age| never changes
Trick: For ratio change problems, cross multiply (3x+n):(4x+n) = p:q
Trap: Don't forget to add/subtract years from both ages in future/past scenarios
Check: Always verify final answer satisfies both given conditions
Pattern: If ages are in ratio 3:4 now and 4:5 later, set up two equations