Decoding Uncle Mo's Age: A Fun Mathematical Puzzle Solved

Have you ever come across a brain teaser that challenges your mathematical skills? Let's delve into a delightful puzzle that revolves around Uncle Mo's age. This simple yet engaging problem not only tests your understanding of algebra but also makes for an interesting discussion on age differences. Join us as we unravel the solution step by step!

Understanding the Puzzle

When we were 5 years old, our beloved uncle Mo was three times as old as we were. Fast forward to the present, where we have reached the age of 40. To determine Uncle Mo's current age, we need to follow a series of logical steps. Let's break it down.

The Mathematical Breakdown

Step 1: Identifying Age Differences

When we were 5 years old, Uncle Mo's age was given as three times our age:

5 * 3  15

This means that Uncle Mo was 15 years old when we were 5.

Step 2: Calculating the Constant Age Gap

From the moment we were 5 to the present, where we are 40, the difference in age between us and Uncle Mo remains constant:

15 - 5  10

The age difference between us and Uncle Mo is 10 years. Thus, regardless of the years that have passed, Uncle Mo is always 10 years older than us.

Step 3: Determining Uncle Mo's Current Age

Given our current age, we can now calculate Uncle Mo's current age:

40   10  50

Therefore, if we are currently 40 years old, Uncle Mo is 50 years old. The age difference of 10 years remains a constant, which we have successfully leveraged to find the answer.

Alternative Approach

Let's break down the solution using a more straightforward mathematical approach. Let:

I my current age (40 years) M Uncle Mo's current age x the number of years that have passed since we were 5 (35 years)

We know that x years ago, when we were 5, Uncle Mo was 15. So:

I - x  5  --- (1)
M - x  15 --- (2)

Solving for x from equation (1) gives:

40 - x  5x  35

Now, substituting x into equation (2) to find Uncle Mo's current age:

M - 35  15M  50

So, by this method, we can also confirm that Uncle Mo is 50 years old.

Conclusion

Whether we use the simpler method or the step-by-step approach, we arrive at the same answer. Uncle Mo is currently 50 years old, and the secret lies in the consistent age difference of 10 years between him and us.

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