36 = 2^2 * 3^2
Possible ages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
Since we need to multiply three numbers, the possibilities are as follows:
1*1*36 = 36, sum = 38
1*2*18 = 36, sum = 21
1*3*12 = 36, sum = 16
1*4*9 = 36, sum = 14
1*6*6 = 36, sum = 13
2*2*9 = 36, sum = 13
2*3*6 = 36, sum = 11
3*3*4 = 36, sum = 10
The only repeated sum is 13 (looking at the neighbor's house would not give you one answer)
Eldest implies superlative, so I'd assume the answer is 2/2/9
Anyways, why is this woman so cryptic and reluctant to give you a straight answer? I can only imagine the horrible parenting that must come with that kind of person...