Multiple choice

The ratio of present ages of A and B is 9 : 8. After 12 years, the ratio of their ages will be 15 : 14. Find the sum of their present ages.

  1. 32 years

  2. 40 years

  3. 34 years

  4. 30 years

  5. 36 years
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Let ages be 9x and 8x. (9x + 12)/(8x + 12) = 15/14. Cross-multiplying: 14(9x + 12) = 15(8x + 12) => 126x + 168 = 120x + 180 => 6x = 12 => x = 2. Sum of ages = 17x = 34.

AI explanation

Let the present ages of A and B be 9x and 8x. After 12 years, their ages will be 9x + 12 and 8x + 12, so we can write (9x + 12) / (8x + 12) = 15 / 14. Cross-multiplying yields 126x + 168 = 120x + 180, which simplifies to 6x = 12 and gives x = 2. The present ages are 18 and 16, making their sum 34 years.

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