Question

The ages of two persons are in the ratio of 5 : 7. Sixteen years ago, they were in the ratio 3 : 5. Find their present age.

Answer 1

Let the present ages be:

5x and 7x

Sixteen years ago

(5x − 16) and (7x − 16)

Formulate the Equation:

`(5x − 16)/(7x − 16) = 3/5`

5(5x − 16) = 3(7x − 16)

25x − 80 = 21x − 48

25x − 21x = −48 + 80

4x = 32

x = 8

Find present ages:

First person’s age = 5x = 5 × 8 = 40 years

Second person’s age = 7x = 7 × 8 = 56 years