Age Problems
📋 What it is
In age problems, everyone ages the SAME amount each year — a fact you can turn into an equation.
🗣️ Coach says
Age problems have a hidden anchor: the age GAP between two people never changes. If Mum is 30 years older now, she’s always 30 years older. Use the constant gap (or “in n years, add n to everyone”) to build the equation.
🧠 Memory hook
The age GAP never changes. In n years, everyone gains n. Anchor on those facts.
😂 Giggle
Why did 9 always feel a little off?
Because it's just 10 minus 1, and it never lets you forget it!
😲 Whoa!
Age riddles are ancient — a 1,500-year-old Greek riddle about the mathematician Diophantus’ age is still used to teach algebra today.
✅ Quick check: Sara is 12, her brother is 8. In how many years will Sara be exactly twice as old… wait, she’s 1.5×. What NEVER changes?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
The 4-year age gap never changes — anchor on that constant to set up any age equation.
The unchanging age difference is the reliable fact to build on.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
You and a sibling/friend: what’s your age gap? Will it be the same in 10 years? (Yes — that’s the anchor.)
🔎 How did you work this?