Average age shift after five years and a new entrant: Five years ago, the average age of four men was 48 years. Now, a new man joins and the current average increases by 2 years compared to what it would be otherwise. What is the present age of the new man?

Introduction / Context:This problem combines time progression of averages with the addition of a new member. Clarifying the timeline is crucial: the original average is given five years ago; then, now, someone joins, and the resulting average is higher by 2 years than it otherwise would have been.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Five years ago: average of 4 men = 48 → total then = 4 * 48 = 192
• Now, each of the 4 is 5 years older → total now (without new man) = 192 + 4 * 5 = 212
• With the new man joining now, the current average becomes 2 years higher than 53 (the average the 4 would now have), i.e., new average = 55

Concept / Approach:Compute the current total for the 4, then use the target 5-person average to deduce the new man’s age.

Step-by-Step Solution:Average of original 4 now = 48 + 5 = 53Stated increase by joining = +2 → new 5-person average = 55Total for 5 at 55 = 5 * 55 = 275Age of new man = 275 - 212 = 63 years

Verification / Alternative check:If the new man were 63, the new average is exactly 55, which is 2 more than the 53 that would have prevailed without him.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:58, 42, 41, 38 do not produce the required +2 rise in the current average when added to the existing group.

Common Pitfalls:Adding 2 to 48 instead of to 53; forgetting that 5 years have passed for each of the original members before the new man joins.

Final Answer:63 yr