Question

16 years ago a mother was four times as old as her daughter. at present the mother is twice as old as the daughter. what is the sum of their current ages?

Answer 1

let mother's present age be'x' years
therefore daughter's present age=2x years
mother's age 16 years ago=(x-16) years
daughter's age 16 years ago=(2x-16) years
so according to question,
2x-16=4 (x-16)
=>2x-16=4x-64
=>4x-2x=64-16
=>2x=48
so..x=24

now,mother's present age =2x=48years
and daughter's present age=x=24years
hence sum of their current ages is (48+24)years=72 years