Let the present age of father and mother be A and B years respectively. Let the present age of son be C years. From statement I: (A – 5) : (B – 5) = 7 : 6 ⇒ 6A – 30 = 7B – 35 ⇒ 7B – 6A = 5 From statement II: B + C = 56 From statement III: (A + 5) + (C + 5) = 71 ⇒ A + C = 61 Solving all three, A – B = 5 ⇒ A = 5 + B Now, 7B – 6 × (5 + B) = 5 ⇒ 7B – 30 – 6B = 5 ⇒ B = 35 years ⇒ C = 21 years ⇒ A = 40 years Required difference = 40 – 21 = 19 years ∴ Using all three statements we can answer the question.