Answer: Maria's age = 12
Father's age = 36
Step-by-step explanation:
Let Maria's age be p and her father's age be q
Then, we form equation from the question:
Father's age (q) = 3 x p
Therefore, q = 3p ......equation 1
Six years ago,
q - 6 = 5 (p - 6)
q - 6 = 5p - 30
q - 5p = -30 + 6
q - 5p = -24 ..........equation 2
Insert the value of q= 3p into equation 2
3p - 5p = -24
-2p = -24
Divide both sides by -2
p = -24/-2
p = 12
If Maria"s age is 12, then Father's age(q) = 3p will be 3 x 12= 36
