Multiple choice

Sum of the ages of $X$ and $Y$, $12$ years, ago, was $48$ years and sum of the ages of $X$ and $Y$, $12$ years hence will be $96$ years. Present age of $X$ is _____

  1. $55$
  2. $72$

  3. Cannot be determined

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Let X and Y be current ages. (X-12) + (Y-12) = 48 => X+Y = 72. (X+12) + (Y+12) = 96 => X+Y = 72. Both conditions provide the same information (sum of ages is 72). We cannot determine individual ages.

AI explanation

Let the present ages be X and Y, so 12 years ago the equation was (X - 12) + (Y - 12) = 48, simplifying to X + Y = 72. While 12 years hence the sum is (X + 12) + (Y + 12) = 96, which also simplifies to exactly X + Y = 72. Since both statements yield the exact same combined equation, the individual value of X cannot be determined from the given information.

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