Meera's age two years ago, multiplied by her age five years from now, gives 98…

Step 1. Equation. $(a - 2)(a + 5) = 98$.

Step 2. Standard form. $a^2 + 3a - 10 - 98 = 0$, that is $a^2 + 3a - 108 = 0$.

Step 3. Factorise. $12 \times (-9) = -108$ and $12 - 9 = 3$, so $(a + 12)(a - 9) = 0$.

Step 4. Meaning. An age cannot be negative, so $a = 9$. Check: $7 \times 14 = 98$.