Question 23148
Alrighty, #1 you can solve this if you use your brain! #2 The banana will not cause it to fall because of the friction on the fence. (it could be a barbed wire fence by the way) 

PART ONE

Let x = mother's age now. Let y = offspring's age now 
:
The monkey’s mother is half as old as the monkey will be when it is three times as old as its mother was when she was half as old as the monkey will be when it is twice as old as it is now.
:
The last phrase:"when she was half as old as the monkey will be when it is twice as old as it is now." just means: .5(2y) = y
:
Replacing that phrase with y:
mother is half as old as the monkey will be when it is three times as old as its mother was y
:
x = .5(3y)
x = 1.5y
:
"The combined ages of the monkey and its mother are thirty years."
x + y = 30

 
1.5y + y = 30; substituted 1.5y for x
2.5y = 30
y = 30/2.5
y = 12 yrs old
Then
x = 18 yrs old

PART TWO

I think you should be able to do the rest (its easier from here), don't listen to those people who say it is not possible.