When Penelope was 44 years old, her daughter was 4 times her son's age. Penelope would be twice her daughter's age when her son was 23 years old. How old would Penelope be when her son was 17 years old?

	Penelope	Daughter	Son
Before	44	4 u	1 u
Change	+ ?	+ ?	+ ?
After	2 p	1 p	23

The difference in the ages between Penelope and her daughter remains unchanged.

Difference in Penelope's and her daughter's ages at first
44 - 4 u = 2 p - 1 p
44 - 4 u = 1 p --- (1)

The difference in the ages between her daughter and her son remains unchanged.

Difference in her daughter's and her son's ages at first
4 u - 1 u = 1 p - 23
3 u + 23 = 1 p --- (2)

Make p the same.

(1) = (2)
44 - 4 u = 3 u + 23
3 u + 4 u = 44 - 23
7 u = 21

1 u = 21 ÷ 7 = 3

Age difference between Penelope and her son
= 44 - 1 u
= 44 - 3
= 41

Penelope's age when her son was 17 years old
= 41 + 17
= 58

Answer(s): 58