Question

Latha told her son, seven years ago, i was 7 times older than you. but 3 years from now i shall be 3 times older than you. find the present ages of latha and her son by elimination method

Answer 1

let the latha's age be x

and the son's age be y


According to question

x - 7 = 7( y - 7)

x - 7 = 7y - 49

x - 7y = -42 i)

now

x + 3 = 3( y + 3)

x + 3 = 3y + 9

x - 3y = 6 ii)


x - 7y = - 42
x - 3y = 6

-4y = - 48

y = 12
putting the value of y in equation ii) we get,

x - 3y = 6

x - 36 = 6

x = 42


As = mother's age = 42 years
son's age = 12 years