Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Puzzle 037: Brother and Sister

Original diagram for Puzzle 037: Brother and Sister

Two age-swapping statements from a brother and sister tell you exactly how old they both are.

Chapter
Chapter 3
Location
Clock Tower · Lucy
Picarats
40 picarats
Type
Write Answer
Region
Same in all versions
Hint 1: A gentle nudge. Tap to flip.
Hint 1

Turn each statement into an equation, using one letter for each age.

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Hint 2: The key idea. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Hint 2

After the first swap, he's two years younger and she's two years older. After the second, it's three years each way.

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Hint 3: Almost there. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Hint 3

You'll get two expressions for the sister's age. Set them equal.

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Answer: See the answer. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Answer

The answer is both 6 years old.

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Solution, FAQ and sources

Solution

Let the boy be *b* and his sister *s*.

1. First swap: s + 2 = 2(b − 2), so s = 2b − 6. 2. Second swap: s + 3 = 3(b − 3), so s = 3b − 12. 3. Set them equal: 2b − 6 = 3b − 12, so b = 6, and s = 2 × 6 − 6 = 6.

Check: 8 is twice 4, and 9 is three times 3. Both are **6** — twins, or born less than a year apart.

About this puzzle

A boy tells his sister: if he gave her two years of his age, she’d be twice as old as him. She replies: if he gave her one more year on top of that, she’d be three times his age. How old is each of them?

Unofficial fan guide, not affiliated with LEVEL-5. Puzzle description, hints and solution written by Hint by Hint.

Similar puzzles: Puzzle 041: Spare Change, Puzzle 032: Candy Jars, Puzzle 042: The Camera and Case, Puzzle 031: Racetrack Riddle

All Professor Layton and the Curious Village puzzles

FAQ

What is the answer to Puzzle 037, Brother and Sister, in Professor Layton and the Curious Village?

The answer is both 6 years old.

Where do you find Puzzle 037 in Curious Village?

Puzzle 037 appears in Chapter 3, in the Clock Tower area, when you talk to Lucy.

How many picarats is Curious Village Puzzle 037 worth?

40 picarats.

Sources

Facts checked on November 14, 2026

Unofficial fan guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by LEVEL-5 Inc. Professor Layton, The New World of Steam, and all related names, characters, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.