Question

the sum of the ages of a mother and dauther is 44 years.
Three years ago the product of their ages was 192.
How old is the dauther now?

Answer 1

age of mother --- x
age of daughter = 44-x

3 years ago, age of mother = x-3
3 years ago, age of daughter = 44-x - 3 = 41 - x

(x-3)(41-x) = 192
41x - x^2 - 123 + 3x = 192
x^2 - 44x + 315 = 0
(x-9)(x-35) = 0
x = 9 or x = 35
but the mother clearly must be older than the daughter, so
x = 35
the daughter is 44-35 years old, or 9 years old