Math Problem Statement

The present age of Anitha and Anjali is in the ratio 3:4. Five years back, the ratio of their ages was 2:3. What is the present age of Anitha?

Solution

The question asks about the present age of Anitha, where the present age of Anitha and Anjali is in the ratio 3:4. It also states that 5 years ago, their ages were in the ratio 2:3. We are required to find the present age of Anitha.

Step-by-step Solution:

  1. Let the present age of Anitha be 3x3x and the present age of Anjali be 4x4x, since their ages are in the ratio 3:4.

  2. Five years ago, Anitha’s age was 3x53x - 5, and Anjali’s age was 4x54x - 5.

  3. According to the problem, the ratio of their ages 5 years ago was 2:3, so we can set up the equation: 3x54x5=23\frac{3x - 5}{4x - 5} = \frac{2}{3}

  4. Cross-multiply to eliminate the fractions: 3(3x5)=2(4x5)3(3x - 5) = 2(4x - 5) Expanding both sides: 9x15=8x109x - 15 = 8x - 10

  5. Solve for xx: 9x8x=10+159x - 8x = -10 + 15 x=5x = 5

  6. Now that we know x=5x = 5, we can find Anitha’s present age: Anitha’s age=3x=3(5)=15\text{Anitha's age} = 3x = 3(5) = 15

Conclusion:

The present age of Anitha is 15 years.

Would you like any further details or clarifications?

Here are five related questions you can explore:

  1. What is Anjali's current age?
  2. How would the solution change if the ratio 5 years ago was different?
  3. Can this problem be solved graphically?
  4. How does this method generalize to other age-related problems?
  5. What if Anitha’s age were given explicitly, and you had to find Anjali’s?

Tip: In word problems involving ratios and ages, setting variables and forming equations based on the given relationships is a key strategy to solve them efficiently.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Ratios
Algebraic Equations
Linear Equations

Formulas

Present age formula: Anitha's age = 3x, Anjali's age = 4x
5 years ago: (3x - 5)/(4x - 5) = 2/3

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8