Question

Ashu is x years old while his mother Mrs. Veena is x² years old. Five years hence Mrs. Veena will be three times old as Ashu. Find their present ages. 

Answer 1

Given, Ashu’s present age is x years and his mother Mrs. Veena is x² years.

After 5 years, Ashu age will be (x + 5) years

And his mother Mrs. Veena age will be (x² + 5) years

Given relationship between their ages can be expressed as:

x² + 5 = 3(x + 5)

x² + 5 = 3x + 15 x² + 5 – 3x – 15 = 0

x² – 5x + 2x + 10 = 0

x(x – 5) + 2(x – 5) = 0

(x – 5)(x + 2) = 0

x = 5 or x = – 2(neglected) since, the age can never be negative

Hence, Ashu’s present age is 5 years and his mother’s age is 25 years.