The sum of the ages of a mother and her son is 46 years. In four years time, the ratio of their ages will be 7:2. Find their present ages.
Let the mother's age be M and the son's age be S.
According to the given information, we have:
M + S = 46 (1)
M + 4 = 7(S + 4) (2)
From equation (1), we can write M = 46 - S.
Substitute M = 46 - S into equation (2):
46 - S + 4 = 7S + 28
50 - S = 7S + 28
50 - 28 = 7S + S
22 = 8S
S = 22/8
S = 2.75
Substitute S = 2.75 into M = 46 - S:
M = 46 - 2.75
M = 43.25
Therefore, the mother's present age is 43 years and the son's present age is 3 years.