(3) 3 years ago, A’s age = 9x years B’s age = 5x years A’s age 2 years hence = (9x + 5) years B’s age 5 years hence = (5x + 8) years According to the question, 9x + 5 – 5x – 8 = 17 ⇒ 4x = 17 + 3 = 20⇒ x = 5 ∴ B’s present age = (5x + 3) years = (5 × 5 + 3) years = 28 years