The sum of the ages of a daughter and mother is 56 years. After 4 years, the age of the mother will be 3 times that of the daughter. Their respective ages are.

Suppose the age of mother be P years and that of daughter's age be Q years.
According to question P + Q = 56 .........(i)
After 4 years, P + 4 = 3 (Q + 4) ⇒ P + 4 = 3Q + 12 ⇒ P – 3Q = 8 ......(ii)
On solving equations (i) and (ii) , we get
Q = 12 years
∴ P = 56 – 12 = 44 years
Hence , the age of mother is 44 years and her daughter's age is 12 years .