The present age of Harish is 8 times the sum of the ages of his two sons at present. After 8 years, his age will be 2 times the sum of the ages of his two sons. The present age of Harish (in years) is:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 32
Let the sum of the sons’ present ages be S. In 8 years Harish grows 8 years older, but the sum of the two sons’ ages grows by 16, because each son gains 8 years.
Harish’s present age \(=8S\)
After 8 years: \(8S+8=2(S+16)=2S+32\)
\(6S=24\), so the sons’ ages add up to \(S=4\)
Harish’s present age \(=8\times4=32\) years
Tip: When an age question speaks of the sum of the ages of several people, the sum grows by the number of years times the number of people. Adding only 8 here gives \(8S+8=2S+16\), which has no whole-number answer.