Question

The sum of the ages of two brothers is 38.Four years ago,the age of the elder brother was the square of the younger brother’s age.Find their ages.

Answer 1

9 and 29.

Let us denote the older brother’s age 4 years ago by x and the younger brother’s age 4 years ago by y

Their combined ages 4 years ago is 38–8 =30

So we have the equation x+y=30

We also know that x=y^2

X=25 and y=5 will satisfy that condition

So 4 years ago the older was 25 years old and the younger 5.

4 years later the older brother is 29 years old and the younger brother is 9