Rahul is 3 times as old as Seema. Laxmi was twice as old as Rahul four years ago. In four year's time, Rahul will be 31. What are…

Question

Rahul is 3 times as old as Seema. Laxmi was twice as old as Rahul four years ago. In four year's time, Rahul will be 31. What are the present ages of Seema and Laxmi?

1. A. 10, 50
2. B. 9, 52
3. C. 9, 45
4. D. 9, 50 (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — 9, 50

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 9, 50.

Key Points

• This is a problem on ages solved with simple linear equations.
• We are told that in four years' time Rahul will be 31, so Rahul's present age = 31 − 4 = 27 years.
• Next, Rahul is 3 times as old as Seema, so Seema's present age = 27 ÷ 3 = 9 years.
• Now for Laxmi: four years ago, Laxmi was twice as old as Rahul.
• Four years ago Rahul was 27 − 4 = 23, so Laxmi at that time was 2 × 23 = 46 years.
• Her present age is therefore 46 + 4 = 50 years.
• The present ages of Seema and Laxmi are 9 and 50 years respectively, making option (D) correct.

Exam Tip

• always anchor the solution to the statement that gives a direct numerical value (here, "Rahul will be 31") and work outward from it, rather than setting up three unknowns at once.

प्रश्न (हिन्दी में)

राहुल की आयु सीमा से 3 गुणा अधिक है। चार वर्ष पूर्व लक्ष्मी की आयु राहुल से दुगणी थी। अगले चार वर्षों में राहुल 31 वर्ष का हो जाएगा। सीमा तथा लक्ष्मी की वर्तमान आयु क्या हैं?

1. A. 10, 50
2. B. 9, 52
3. C. 9, 45
4. D. 9, 50