Maths question from Social Forest Worker exam, 2026 by JKSSB
The present age of a man is equal to the square of his son's age. One year ago, the man's age was exactly eight times the age of his son. Two years hence, the sum of their ages will be 6 more than six times the son's age at that time. If the son's present age is 'x', which of the following represents the man's present age?
Last updated Jul 21, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option C —
49 years
Step 1: Set up their present ages
The son's present age is given as x.
The man's present age is the square of the son's age, which means x times x.
Step 2: Use the condition from one year ago
One year ago, the son was x minus 1 years old.
One year ago, the man was x times x, minus 1 years old.
The problem states that one year ago, the man was eight times as old as his son:
Eight times the son's past age is eight times x, minus 8.
Setting this equal to the man's past age gives: x times x, minus 1 equals eight times x, minus 8.
Rearranging this gives: x times x, minus eight times x, plus 7 equals zero.
Finding the number that satisfies this relationship:
If x is 7, then 7 times 7 is 49.
49 minus 56 (which is eight times 7) plus 7 equals zero.
Therefore, the son's present age x is 7 years old.
Step 3: Calculate the man's present age
Since the son is 7 years old, the man's present age is 7 times 7, which equals 49 years old.
Step 4: Verify with the future condition
Two years from now, the son will be 9 years old (7 plus 2).
Two years from now, the man will be 51 years old (49 plus 2).
The sum of their future ages will be 60 (51 plus 9).
Six times the son's future age is 54 (six times 9).
Six more than 54 is indeed 60, which confirms the answer is correct.
Correct Answer:
C) 49 years
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
