The average age of husband, wife and their child 3 years ago was 27 years and that of wife and the child 5 years ago was 20 years. The present age of the husband is:

Problem Restatement

Use past averages to compute current ages of a family and deduce the husband's present age.

Given data

• 3 years ago: Avg of (H, W, C) = 27 → Sum then = 3 × 27 = 81
• 5 years ago: Avg of (W, C) = 20 → Sum then = 2 × 20 = 40

Concept / Approach

To get present sums, add back the elapsed time for each person.

Step-by-step calculation

Present sum (H + W + C) = 81 + 3 × 3 = 81 + 9 = 90Present sum (W + C) = 40 + 2 × 5 = 40 + 10 = 50Therefore, Husband's present age H = 90 − 50 = 40 years

Check

• Back-calculate to verify: 3 years ago H would be 37; with W + C (present 50) minus 6 years = 44 three years ago; 37 + 44 = 81 ✓

Final Answer

Husband's present age = 40 years.