Question

After 16 years, Neelam will be five times as old as she is now. What is her present age?
(a)4
(b)16
(c)35
(d)80

Answer 1

Hint: This question belongs to the topic Linear equation in one variable. If we want to solve this question, first of all we have to assume the present age of Neelam to be x. Then, we just need to understand the question, and convert the words into an equation. When we will further solve the equation, we will get Neelam’s answer, which will be our final answer.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Now, we will start solving this question.
First of all, let us assume that Neelam’s present age is x.
Neelam’s age after 16 years from now \[=x+16\]
Also, five times of Neelam’s age \[=5x\]
According to the data given in the question, Neelam’s age after 16 years from now will be equal to five times her present age.
So, the equation which will be formed by the above data will be,
\[x+16=5x\]
If we further solve this equation, then we will get,
\[\begin{align}
  &\Rightarrow x+16=5x \\
 &\Rightarrow 4x=16 \\
 &\Rightarrow x=4 \\
\end{align}\]
Therefore, we can say that Neelam’s present age is 4 years.

Note: The most probable chances of error in this question is in the making of the equation. Sometimes, students get confused by the data and may result in the making of the wrong equation. If we displace any of the polynomials in the equation, the complete equation will become wrong. For example, if someone displaces the place of 16 in the equation due to its confusion, then the equation formed will be \[x=5x+16\], which is entirely different from the equation which we expected.