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The sum of the present ages of Anjali and her mother is 45 years. Five years ago, the mother was six times as old as Anjali. Taking Anjali's present age as years and her mother's as years, which pair of equations models the situation?

Class 10Pair of Linear Equations in Two VariablesAlgebra — Systems of Equations
  • A and
  • B and
  • C and
  • D and

Step-by-Step Solution

Five years ago the ages were and , so , giving . Option 2 makes Anjali six times her mother. Option 3 forgets to subtract 5 from Anjali's age. Option 4 loses the minus sign while rearranging. (Solving gives : five years ago 5 and 30 ✓.)
Answer: A) and

Key idea: Word problems and translation

Most Class 10 questions on this topic are word problems. The skill is in TRANSLATION:

1. Identify the two unknowns; assign variables (e.g., let = age of A, = age of B).
2. Write two equations from the two given pieces of information.
3. Solve by your preferred method.

**Common types**:
- **Age problems**: 'Father is twice as old as son. Five years ago father was three times. Find ages.'
- **Number problems**: 'A two-digit number plus its reverse is 99...'
- **Distance/time/speed**: 'Boat in still water speeds, downstream/upstream rates...'
- **Cost problems**: 'Cost of pencils and pens.'
- **Fraction problems**: 'A fraction becomes 1/2 when 1 is added to numerator and 2 is subtracted from denominator...'

Always CHECK by substituting solution back into the original word problem (not just the equations).

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