Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Mary is 54 years old, and her mother is 80. How many years ago was her mother three times the age of her daughter Mary?

  1. 41 years

  2. 32 years

  3. 26 years

  4. 21 years

  5. 45 years
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Let x be years ago when mother was 3 times Mary's age: (80-x) = 3(54-x). Solving: 80-x = 162-3x, so 2x = 82, x = 41. 41 years ago, Mary was 13 and her mother was 39, and 39 = 3×13. The other options don't satisfy the 3:1 age ratio condition.

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