Classic Father and Daughter Age Riddle

The father is 60 years old today, and his daughter is 30 years old.To solve this step-by-step, we can set up a simple algebraic equation based on the clues in the puzzle.

First, let’s define our variables using their ages today:
Let D represent the daughter’s current age.
Since the father is twice as old as his daughter today, the father’s current age is 2D.

Next, look at the situation 20 years ago:
The daughter’s age back then was (D – 20).
The father’s age back then was (2D – 20).

The riddle states that 20 years ago, the father was four times older than his daughter. We can turn this into an equation:
2D – 20 = 4 × (D – 20)

Now, simplify and solve for D:
2D – 20 = 4D – 80
Subtract 2D from both sides: -20 = 2D – 80
Add 80 to both sides: 60 = 2D
Divide by 2: D = 30

Since the daughter is 30 today, the father (who is twice her age) must be 60 years old.

To double-check the answer: 20 years ago, the father was 40 (60 – 20) and the daughter was 10 (30 – 20). Since 40 is four times 10, the solution is completely accurate!