The combined present age of P and Q is 46 years. 2 years ago from now, P was twice as old as Q. What is the present age of P?
30 years
Let present ages be P and Q, with \(P+Q=46\).
Two years ago: \((P-2)=2(Q-2)\).
\(P-2=2Q-4 \Rightarrow P=2Q-2\).
Substituting: \(2Q-2+Q=46 \Rightarrow 3Q=48 \Rightarrow Q=16,\ P=30\).
Hence, the present age of P is 30 years.