Three years ago, the average age of Anita, Priya, and Varsha was 27 years. If five years ago, the average age of Priya and Varsha was 20 years, find the present age of Anita.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
Let the present ages of Anita, Priya, and Varsha be $A, P$, and $V$.
Step 1: Use the first condition
Three years ago, their average age was 27.
$\frac{(A - 3) + (P - 3) + (V - 3)}{3} = 27$
$A + P + V - 9 = 81$
$A + P + V = 90$
Step 2: Use the second condition
Five years ago, the average age of Priya and Varsha was 20.
$\frac{(P - 5) + (V - 5)}{2} = 20$
$P + V - 10 = 40$
$P + V = 50$
Step 3: Find Anita's present age
$A = (A + P + V) - (P + V) = 90 - 50 = 40$