Three years back, a father was 24 years older than his son. At present...
Step 1 of solving this GMAT Linear Equations Question: From words to mathematical equations
Let the age of the son 3 years back be 'x' years.
Information 1: Three years back, a father was 24 years older than his son.
Therefore, the age of the father 3 years back was (x + 24).
If the age of the son 3 years back was 'x' years, the present age of the son is x + 3.
Present age of father = x + 24 + 3
Information 2: The father is at present 5 times as old as the son.
i.e., (x + 24 + 3) = 5(x + 3)
Or x + 27 = 5x + 15
Or 4x = 12 or x = 3.
Step 2 of solving this GMAT Algebra Word Problem: From unknown to the answer
x was the age of the son 3 years back.
Therefore, the son was 3 years old 3 years back.
The question is "How old will the son be three years from now?"
If the son was 3 years old, 3 years back, the son is 6 years old now.
Hence, he will be 9 years old three years from now.
Choice D is the correct answer.