Ages — three people with ratios to each other and total sum: Raman’s present age is three times his daughter’s and equal to nine-thirteenths of his mother’s. The sum of their present ages is 125 years. Find the difference between the mother’s and daughter’s present ages.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 50 yr

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Chained ratios allow writing each person’s age in terms of a single variable. A given total then determines exact values.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Raman = 3 * daughter.
  • Raman = (9/13) * mother ⇒ mother = (13/9) * Raman.
  • Total (Raman + daughter + mother) = 125.


Concept / Approach:
Let daughter = d. Then Raman = 3d; mother = (13/9) * 3d = (13/3)d. Sum and solve for d; compute mother − daughter.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Total = 3d + d + (13/3)d = (25/3)d = 125 ⇒ d = 15.Raman = 45; mother = (13/3)*15 = 65.Difference (mother − daughter) = 65 − 15 = 50.


Verification / Alternative check:

Sum check: 45 + 15 + 65 = 125 ✓


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • 45, 40 are not equal to the required difference; “Cannot be determined” is incorrect because data are sufficient.


Common Pitfalls:

  • Using mother = (9/13) * Raman instead of the inverse.


Final Answer:
50 yr

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