A man is 24 years older than his son. In two years, he will be twice his son's age. What is the son's present age?

Problem restatementExpress the age difference and the “twice in two years” condition as equations and solve for the son's current age.

Given data

• Now: Father = Son + 24.
• In 2 years: Father + 2 = 2(Son + 2).

Concept/ApproachSubstitute Father = Son + 24 into the future condition to solve for Son.

Step-by-Step calculation(S + 24) + 2 = 2(S + 2)S + 26 = 2S + 4 ⇒ S = 22

Verification/AlternativePresent ages: Son 22, Father 46. In 2 years: 24 and 48 → father is twice the son (48 = 2×24).

Common pitfallsForgetting to add 2 years to both ages in the “in two years” statement.

Final Answer22 years