Lane is ten times mel's age. if the difference in their age is 27, how old is mel?

If one number is ten times the other one, then the big wide open space
between them with the wind blowing through it is the other nine times it.

The 27 years is 9 times Mel's age.

Mel is 27/9  =  3 years old.

Lane is (3 + 27)  =  30 years old.

Lane is  (30/3)  =  10 times Mel's age.
The difference is (30 - 3) = 27 years.