A father tells his son: “I was as old as you are now at the time of your birth.” If the father is 38 now, how old was the son five years ago?

Problem restatementAt the son's birth, the father's age equaled the son's current age. Use this to find the son's present age, then subtract five years.

Given data

• Father's current age F = 38.
• Let son's current age = S.
• At son's birth (S years ago), father's age = F − S.
• Statement: F − S = S.

Concept/ApproachSet up F − S = S ⇒ 2S = F and solve directly.

Step-by-Step calculation2S = 38 ⇒ S = 19Son's age five years ago = 19 − 5 = 14

Verification/AlternativeAt birth: father's age = 38 − 19 = 19, equal to the son's present age (19). Consistent.

Common pitfallsInterpreting the statement as “at birth father's age equals son's age at birth” (which is zero).

Final Answer14 years