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Solution

\[ \text{Let Rakesh's age} = R,\] \[ \text{Mahesh's age} = M \] \[ R + M = 60 \quad \cdots (i) \] From the statement: Rakesh says, "I am as old as you were when I was one–third as old as you are." That means: when Rakesh was \( \tfrac{1}{3}M \), Mahesh's age was \( R \). So, time passed: \[ R - \tfrac{1}{3}M \] Then Mahesh's age at that time: \[ M - (R - \tfrac{1}{3}M) = R \quad \cdots (ii) \] Now solve equation (ii): \[ M - R + \tfrac{1}{3}M = R \] \[ \tfrac{4}{3}M = 2R \] \[ 2M = 3R \quad \Rightarrow \quad M = \tfrac{3}{2}R \] Substitute in (i): \[ R + \tfrac{3}{2}R = 60 \] \[ \tfrac{5}{2}R = 60 \quad \Rightarrow \quad R = 24 \] \[ M = \tfrac{3}{2} \times 24 = 36 \] \[ \boxed{\text{Mahesh's present age = 36 years}} \]