1. **State the problem:** We need to find Karen's mother's present age given the equation formed by the problem statement. 2. **Translate the problem into an equation:** Let $x$ be Karen's mother's present age. The problem says: "The present age of Karen's mother plus 7, then divided by 5, adds 9 and multiplies by 6. The result equals 66." This translates to: $$6 \times \left( \frac{x + 7}{5} + 9 \right) = 66$$ 3. **Solve the equation step-by-step:** First, divide both sides by 6: $$\cancel{6} \times \left( \frac{x + 7}{5} + 9 \right) = \frac{66}{\cancel{6}}$$ $$\frac{x + 7}{5} + 9 = 11$$ 4. **Isolate the fraction:** $$\frac{x + 7}{5} = 11 - 9$$ $$\frac{x + 7}{5} = 2$$ 5. **Multiply both sides by 5:** $$\cancel{5} \times \frac{x + 7}{\cancel{5}} = 2 \times 5$$ $$x + 7 = 10$$ 6. **Subtract 7 from both sides:** $$x = 10 - 7$$ $$x = 3$$ **Answer:** Karen's mother is 3 years old now, which is unusual but follows from the problem's equation.