15 years from now, Tarun's age will be 4 times his age 15 years ago. His present age is _____.

Appeared in: ESIC Nursing Officer 2016 (shift-1)

Explanation

Let the present age be 'x'. The age 15 years from now is represented as (x + 15), and the age 15 years ago is represented as (x - 15).
The problem provides the relationship: (Age in future) = 4 * (Age in past).
This translates to the algebraic equation: x + 15 = 4 * (x - 15).
Solving the equation: x + 15 = 4x - 60, which simplifies to 3x = 75.
Dividing both sides by 3 gives x = 25. Therefore, Tarun's present age is 25 years.

Option A: If the present age is 35, the age 15 years ago was 20 and the age 15 years from now will be 50. 50 is 2.5 times 20, not 4 times.
Option B: If the present age is 30, the age 15 years ago was 15 and the age 15 years from now will be 45. 45 is 3 times 15, not 4 times.
Option D: If the present age is 26, the age 15 years ago was 11 and the age 15 years from now will be 41. 41 is not a whole number multiple of 11, and certainly not 4 times.

Visual 1: No visual is required for this type of mathematical reasoning question.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Solving linear equations from word problems involving age as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests basic algebraic and logical reasoning skills, which are foundational for problem-solving in any professional field.
In nursing, similar logical deduction is crucial for tasks like calculating drug dosages, titrating IV drips, and interpreting changes in a patient's vital signs over time.
For example, a nurse might need to calculate how much a patient's fluid output has changed over two shifts to assess kidney function, a process that involves similar before-and-after reasoning.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully read the problem to identify the unknown quantity you need to find. Here, it's 'Tarun's present age'.
Assign a variable to this unknown quantity, for example, let 'x' be the present age.
Translate the different time-based phrases into mathematical expressions using the variable 'x'. For instance, '15 years from now' becomes 'x + 15' and '15 years ago' becomes 'x - 15'.
Formulate an equation by setting the expressions equal to each other based on the relationship described in the problem ('will be 4 times').
Solve the resulting linear equation for 'x' using standard algebraic steps (distribution, combining like terms, isolation of the variable).
Finally, verify your solution by substituting the value of 'x' back into the original problem's conditions to ensure it holds true.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full ESIC Nursing Officer 2016 (shift-1)

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