Tips & Tricks Given:Sum of ages of Mallika and Uttam is 40 years Five years ago, the ratio of their ages = 7: 8 Calculation: Let the ages of Mallika and Uttam 5 years ago be 7x and 8x Present age ratio = (7x + 5): (8x + 5) According to the question, Sum of ages of Mallika and Uttam is 40 years ⇒ 7x+5+8x+5=40 ⇒ 15x=30orx=2 years ⇒ Age of Mallika 5 years ago = 7x=14 ∴ Present age of Mallika = 14 + 5 = 19 years. Short Trick: Given that 5 years ago, Age of Mallika was 7x ∴ The present age of Mallika will be that option from which if we subtract 5, it will be multiple of 7 i.e. (19 - 5) = 14 which is multiple of 7. Hence, 19 years is the correct answer.