The sum of the present ages of a mother and her daughter is 50 years. Five years ago, the mother’s age was 7 times the daughter’s age. What is the present age of the mother?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 40 years
Let the daughter’s present age be d years. Then the mother’s present age is \(50 - d\) years. Five years ago both were 5 years younger:
\(50 - d - 5 = 7(d - 5)\)
\(45 - d = 7d - 35\)
\(8d = 80\)
\(d = 10\)
So the mother is \(50 - 10 = 40\) years old.
Check: five years ago the ages were 35 and 5, and \(35 = 7 \times 5\).