Ratio between age of P and Q is 5 : 7. If 2 years ago Q’s age was 2 years more than the age of P after 4 years, then find their total age.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → 48 years
The ratio 5 : 7 lets both present ages be written with one unknown; the condition about the two different times then gives an equation for it.
Assuming the present ages to be \(5x\) (P) and \(7x\) (Q):
Q’s age 2 years ago \(=7x-2\)
P’s age after 4 years \(=5x+4\)
\(7x-2=(5x+4)+2\)
\(2x=8\), so \(x=4\)
Present ages: P \(=20\) years, Q \(=28\) years; total \(=48\) years