The combined age of husband and wife on their 20th wedding anniversary was…
2024
The combined age of husband and wife on their 20th wedding anniversary was twice than it was at the time of wedding. If the husband is 3 years older than his wife. How old was he at the time of his marriage?
- A.
29 years
- B.
38.5 years
- C.
21.5 years
- D.
32 years
Attempted by 11 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Let the wife's age at the time of marriage be x (years). Then the husband's age at marriage is x + 3 (years).
Combined age at marriage = x + (x + 3) = 2x + 3.
After 20 years the combined age increases by 40, so combined at 20th anniversary = 2x + 3 + 40.
The problem states this anniversary combined age is twice the combined age at marriage, so:
2x + 3 + 40 = 2(2x + 3).
Simplify: 2x + 43 = 4x + 6 → 43 − 6 = 4x − 2x → 37 = 2x → x = 18.5.
Husband's age at marriage = x + 3 = 18.5 + 3 = 21.5 years.
Answer: The husband was 21.5 years old at the time of marriage.