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.
Verbal Reasoning
Problems on Ages
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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A45 yr
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B40 yr
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C50 yr
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DConnot be determined
Answer
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