Given, Louise is three times as old as Mary
let the age of Mary be M,
Then L=3M Or, \(M=\frac{L}{3}\)
Given, Mary is twice as old as Natalie
Or, M=2N Or, \(N=\frac{M}{2}=\frac{L}{6}\)

Average age of L,M, and N in terms of L=\(\frac{M+N+L}{3}=\frac{1}{3}(\frac{L}{3}+\frac{L}{6}+L)\)=\(\frac{L}{2}\)

Ans. (B)
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PKN

Rise above the storm, you will find the sunshine

I did basic algebra but would like to know more easy way to do it.

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Kritika2008poddar , "plugging in" numbers often can be quicker and easier than straight algebra.* In this case, you could:

1) Write the variable definitions

Louise is three times as old as Mary. Mary is twice as old as Natalie.
\(L=3M\)
____\(M=2N\)

2) Assign an age to one person. In years of age, let

\(N=2\). Then
\(M=2N=4\), and
\(L=3M=12\)

3) Find the average age of the three girls
Average age: \(\frac{12+4+2}{3}=6\)

4) Use \(L=12\) and find the option that yields \(6\). You must check ALL options.

(With this method we must check all options because our numbers might work for two answers. In that case, choose a different number and check the two options. Not hard.)

(A) \(\frac{L}{3}\):\(\frac{12}{3}=4\) REJECT

(B) \(\frac{L}{2}\):\(\frac{12}{2}=6\) KEEP

(C) \(\frac{2L}{3}\):\(\frac{24}{3}=8\) REJECT

(D) \(\frac{L}{4}\):\(\frac{12}{4}=3\) REJECT

(E) \(\frac{L}{6}\): \(\frac{12}{6}=2\) REJECT

Answer B

Hope that helps.

[size=85]Most of the time, avoid picking 0 or 1. Pick easy values that fit the question. For material on this topic,
see Bunuel , listing many links to "Number Plugging"; and
ManhattanPrep, outlining how to choose smart values for variables; and
mikemcgarry , discussing whether to use algebra or pick numbers.
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