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UPSC Civil Services Problems on Ages Questions with Answers & Explanations

16 Problems on Ages questions from the Basic Numeracy & Data Interpretation section of UPSC Civil Services, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. Try each question first, then tap Show answer to check. When you're ready, take the timed chapter-wise test to see your all-India rank.

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Question 1

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 3 : 5. After 10 years, the ratio of their ages will be 7 : 10. What is the present age of B?

  1. A18 years
  2. B30 years
  3. C35 years
  4. D40 years
Show answer
Answer: (B) 30 years Let ages be 3x and 5x. (3x + 10)/(5x + 10) gives x = 6, so B = 30 years.
Question 2

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 2 : 3. After 10 years, the ratio of their ages will be 13 : 17. What is the present age of B?

  1. A24 years
  2. B34 years
  3. C27 years
  4. D21 years
Show answer
Answer: (A) 24 years Let ages be 2x and 3x. (2x + 10)/(3x + 10) gives x = 8, so B = 24 years.
Question 3

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 3 : 4. After 6 years, the ratio of their ages will be 9 : 11. What is the present age of B?

  1. A20 years
  2. B16 years
  3. C12 years
  4. D22 years
Show answer
Answer: (B) 16 years Let ages be 3x and 4x. (3x + 6)/(4x + 6) gives x = 4, so B = 16 years.
Question 4

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 2 : 3. After 6 years, the ratio of their ages will be 11 : 15. What is the present age of B?

  1. A24 years
  2. B16 years
  3. C21 years
  4. D30 years
Show answer
Answer: (A) 24 years Let ages be 2x and 3x. (2x + 6)/(3x + 6) gives x = 8, so B = 24 years.
Question 5

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 3 : 4. After 10 years, the ratio of their ages will be 14 : 17. What is the present age of B?

  1. A28 years
  2. B34 years
  3. C24 years
  4. D18 years
Show answer
Answer: (C) 24 years Let ages be 3x and 4x. (3x + 10)/(4x + 10) gives x = 6, so B = 24 years.
Question 6

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 4 : 5. After 8 years, the ratio of their ages will be 16 : 19. What is the present age of B?

  1. A30 years
  2. B24 years
  3. C38 years
  4. D25 years
Show answer
Answer: (A) 30 years Let ages be 4x and 5x. (4x + 8)/(5x + 8) gives x = 6, so B = 30 years.
Question 7

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 3 : 4. After 5 years, the ratio of their ages will be 26 : 33. What is the present age of B?

  1. A33 years
  2. B24 years
  3. C32 years
  4. D28 years
Show answer
Answer: (D) 28 years Let ages be 3x and 4x. (3x + 5)/(4x + 5) gives x = 7, so B = 28 years.
Question 8

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 5 : 6. After 5 years, the ratio of their ages will be 40 : 47. What is the present age of B?

  1. A35 years
  2. B36 years
  3. C42 years
  4. D47 years
Show answer
Answer: (C) 42 years Let ages be 5x and 6x. (5x + 5)/(6x + 5) gives x = 7, so B = 42 years.
Question 9

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 4 : 5. After 10 years, the ratio of their ages will be 38 : 45. What is the present age of B?

  1. A35 years
  2. B30 years
  3. C45 years
  4. D28 years
Show answer
Answer: (A) 35 years Let ages be 4x and 5x. (4x + 10)/(5x + 10) gives x = 7, so B = 35 years.
Question 10

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 5 : 7. After 10 years, the ratio of their ages will be 10 : 13. What is the present age of B?

  1. A30 years
  2. B42 years
  3. C35 years
  4. D52 years
Show answer
Answer: (B) 42 years Let ages be 5x and 7x. (5x + 10)/(7x + 10) gives x = 6, so B = 42 years.

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Question 11

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 3 : 5. After 10 years, the ratio of their ages will be 31 : 45. What is the present age of B?

  1. A21 years
  2. B40 years
  3. C30 years
  4. D35 years
Show answer
Answer: (D) 35 years Let ages be 3x and 5x. (3x + 10)/(5x + 10) gives x = 7, so B = 35 years.
Question 12

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 5 : 6. After 4 years, the ratio of their ages will be 6 : 7. What is the present age of B?

  1. A18 years
  2. B28 years
  3. C30 years
  4. D24 years
Show answer
Answer: (D) 24 years Let ages be 5x and 6x. (5x + 4)/(6x + 4) gives x = 4, so B = 24 years.
Question 13

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 5 : 7. After 4 years, the ratio of their ages will be 17 : 23. What is the present age of B?

  1. A42 years
  2. B46 years
  3. C30 years
  4. D49 years
Show answer
Answer: (A) 42 years Let ages be 5x and 7x. (5x + 4)/(7x + 4) gives x = 6, so B = 42 years.
Question 14

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 5 : 6. After 10 years, the ratio of their ages will be 25 : 29. What is the present age of B?

  1. A54 years
  2. B48 years
  3. C42 years
  4. D58 years
Show answer
Answer: (B) 48 years Let ages be 5x and 6x. (5x + 10)/(6x + 10) gives x = 8, so B = 48 years.
Question 15

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 3 : 5. After 4 years, the ratio of their ages will be 11 : 17. What is the present age of B?

  1. A18 years
  2. B35 years
  3. C34 years
  4. D30 years
Show answer
Answer: (D) 30 years Let ages be 3x and 5x. (3x + 4)/(5x + 4) gives x = 6, so B = 30 years.
Question 16

The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 2 : 3. After 6 years, the ratio of their ages will be 3 : 4. What is the present age of B?

  1. A15 years
  2. B18 years
  3. C21 years
  4. D24 years
Show answer
Answer: (B) 18 years Let ages be 2x and 3x. (2x + 6)/(3x + 6) gives x = 6, so B = 18 years.

These are RankerClub practice questions written in the UPSC Civil Services pattern. They are not official SSC/IBPS/RRB papers.

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