Question:medium

Average age of a nuclear family of 4 members, five years ago was 12 years. On including age of the boy from neighbourhood, the present average age is 15 years. What is the present age of the boy from the neighbourhood?

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When dealing with average age problems that span a period of time, first calculate the sum of ages at one point in time. Then, adjust this sum for the time elapsed before performing any further calculations.
Updated On: Mar 24, 2026
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Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
To find the age of an additional person, calculate the total sum of ages of the group before and after that person joined.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. \( \text{Sum of ages} = \text{Average age} \times \text{Number of people} \).
2. To find the present sum from a past average: \( \text{Present Sum} = \text{Past Sum} + (\text{Years Passed} \times \text{Number of People}) \).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Five years ago:
Number of members \( = 4 \).
Average age \( = 12 \) years.
Sum of their ages 5 years ago \( = 4 \times 12 = 48 \) years.
Present sum of their ages:
Since each of the 4 members has aged by 5 years:
\[ \text{Present Sum (4 members)} = 48 + (4 \times 5) = 48 + 20 = 68 \text{ years} \] Now, a boy joins the group, so total members \( = 5 \).
New average age \( = 15 \) years.
Total sum of ages (5 people) \( = 5 \times 15 = 75 \) years.
Age of the boy \( = \text{Total sum (5 people)} - \text{Total sum (4 people)} \).
\[ \text{Age of boy} = 75 - 68 = 7 \text{ years} \]
Step 4: Final Answer:
The present age of the boy from the neighbourhood is 7 years.
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