Consider the Question and two Statements given below: Question: What is the age of Manisha? Statement 1: Manisha is 24 years younger than her mother. Statement 2: 5 years later, the ages of Manisha and her mother will be in the ratio 3: 5. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Question and the Statement?

Since each statement alone has only one equation while solving for two variables generally requires two unique equations, neither of the two statements is sufficient alone. Now we check if both the statements are sufficient together. Let the present ages of Manisha and her mother be x and y respectively. As per statement 1, y = x + 24 As per statement 2, (x + 5)/(y + 5) = 3/5 Or 5x + 25 = 3y + 15 Or 3y – 5x = 10 Or 3(x + 24) – 5x = 10 (using statement 1) Or 3x + 72 – 5x = 10 Or x = 31 So, Manisha is 31 years old at present. Both statements together are sufficient to answer the question.