any tips in solving algebra age problems?

Answer 1

Yes. First, examine the problem and find the exact question being asked.

"What is Ann's age now?"

"What will Achbar's age be three years from now?"

Let that value be x.

Then, express the other parts of the problem as equations using x:

"Fred is three times as old as Ann is now." Fred's age is thus 3x.

"Two years from now, Fred will be twice as old as Ann is then."

How old will Fred be two years from now? 3x + 2
How old will Ann be two years from now? x + 2

"Two years from now, Fred will be twice as old as Ann is then."

3x + 2 = 2(x + 2)

Solve that equation and you have Ann's age now.