Question 1062270

let t = number of years in question

In 't' years, his mother will be 26+t and Xavier will be 2+t years old, then tack on *3 to match the problem statement:
  26+t = (2+t)*3    
   26+t = 6+3t
        -2t = -20
           t = 10

—
Answer:  in 10 years, Xavier's mother will be 3 times his age.
—
Check:   26+10 = 36
              (2+10)*3 = 12*3 = 36 (ok)