Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: 60 years
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question is a straightforward chain ratio problem about ages. It involves three people whose ages are related by simple multiplication factors. Such questions test your ability to follow one relation after another and apply proportional thinking. They do not require forming complex equations and are therefore common in the easier section of quantitative aptitude tests.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The approach is to start from the known age and move step by step through the chain of relationships. First, we use Priya age to compute Babli age, then we use Babli age to compute Amit age. Since each relation is expressed as a multiple, no equations or ratios are needed beyond simple multiplication. This reflects the concept of compound proportionality where one quantity depends on another which itself depends on a third quantity.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Priya present age is given as 5 years.
Step 2: Babli present age is three times the age of Priya, so Babli age is 3 * 5 = 15 years.
Step 3: Amit present age is four times the age of Babli.
Step 4: Therefore Amit age is 4 * 15 = 60 years.
Step 5: We conclude that Amit is 60 years old at present.
Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify by tracing the chain backwards. If Amit is 60 years old, then Babli should be 60 / 4 = 15 years old, which matches our value of 15. If Babli is 15 years old, Priya should be 15 / 3 = 5 years old, which is exactly the given age of Priya. Since both directions of the chain are consistent, the calculation is correct.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (65 years) would imply Babli age is 65 / 4, which is not a whole number and does not match the given multiple of 3 times Priya age, so it is invalid.
Option B (45 years) would yield Babli age as 45 / 4 which again is inconsistent with an integer multiple of 5 years for Priya, so it is incorrect.
Option C (55 years) similarly fails to maintain the exact 4 times and 3 times relationships when traced through Babli and Priya ages.
Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to mix up the direction of the relationships, for example taking Priya to be three times Babli instead of Babli being three times Priya. Another mistake is to perform addition instead of multiplication when the statement clearly indicates a multiple. Reading the statements slowly and identifying the correct multiplication factors for each step helps avoid such confusion.
Final Answer:
The present age of Amit is 60 years.
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