Linking past and future ages – Ten years ago Hema was twice Geeta. Ten years from now Hema will be 40. How old is Geeta today?

Introduction / Context:
We are given Hema’s future age and a past ratio between Hema and Geeta. Determine Hema’s present age first, then use the 10-years-ago relation to get Geeta’s present age.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Hema in 10 years = 40 ⇒ Hema now = 30.
• Ten years ago: Hema = 20; she was twice Geeta then.

Concept / Approach:
If Hema was 20 ten years ago and was twice Geeta’s age then, Geeta was 10 at that time. Therefore, Geeta is 20 now.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Hema now = 40 − 10 = 30.Ten years ago: Hema = 20, Geeta = 10 (since 20 = 2 × 10).Therefore, Geeta now = 10 + 10 = 20.

Verification / Alternative check:
Check the past relation: 30 − 10 = 20 and 20 − 10 = 10; 20 = 2 × 10 true.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
They do not satisfy the past 2× relation when combined with Hema’s known future age.

Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting that both ages move together by the same 10-year offset when converting between times.

Final Answer:
20 years