Question

Six year before, the age of mother was equal to the square of her son's age. Three year hence, her age will be thrice the age of her son then. Find the present ages of the mother and son.

Answer 1

Suppose, the age of the son six year before was x
∴ mother’s age six year before was x²
∴ present age of the son is (x + 6) and
present age of the mother is (x² + 6)
Three years hence, son’s age will be (x + 9) and mother’s age will be (x² + 9)
by given condition,
x² + 9 = 3(x + 9)
∴ x² - 3x + 9 - 27 = 0
∴ x² - 3x - 18 = 0
∴ (x - 6) (x + 3) = 0
∴ x = 6 or x = -3
But age cannot be negative ∴ x ≠ -3
∴ son’s present age = x + 6 = 6 + 6 = 12 years.
mother’s present age = x2 + 6 = 36 + 6 = 42 years.