Question

    The average age of 4 children is 12 years. The difference between the ages of the eldest and the youngest child is 10 years. If the second and third children are of the same age and their combined age is 24 years, what is the age of the eldest child?

    A 14 Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B 17 Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C 19 Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D 21 Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E none Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    Let the ages of the second and third children be x years.  Their combined age = 2x = 24, so x = 12 years.  Let the age of the youngest child be y years, and the eldest be y + 10 years.  Average age = (y + (y + 10) + 12 + 12) / 4 = 12  (y + y + 10 + 24) / 4 = 12  (2y + 34) / 4 = 12  2y + 34 = 48  2y = 14  y = 7 years  Age of the eldest child = 7 + 10 = 17 years.

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