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Q6·CSAT · Prelims 2022

Finding final distance between two friends after running in different directions

ReasoningDirection & DistanceFactual singleMedium

Question

Two friends X and Y start running and they run together for 50 m in the same direction and reach a point. X turns right and runs 60 m, while Y turns left and runs 40 m. Then X turns left and runs 50 m and stops, while Y turns right and runs 50 m and then stops. How far are the two friends from each other now?

Options

a

100 m

Answer
b

90 m

c

60 m

d

50 m

Explanation

Map the coordinates of both runners on a Cartesian plane. Let them start at (0,0) and run North (along the Y-axis). Initial run: Both reach (0, 50).

Track X:

Turns right (East) and runs 60 m: reaches (60, 50).
Turns left (North) and runs 50 m: reaches (60, 100).

Track Y:

Turns left (West) and runs 40 m: reaches (-40, 50).
Turns right (North) and runs 50 m: reaches (-40, 100).

Both runners end up on the exact same latitude line (⟨MATH⟩Y = 100⟨/MATH⟩). The distance between them is the absolute horizontal difference along the X-axis: Distance = 60 - (-40) = 100 meters.

When tracking two independent paths, map their cardinal movements as (X, Y) coordinates to easily calculate their final displacement geometry.

Answer: (a).

Question details

Year

2022

Paper

CSAT

Question

Q6

Section

Logical & Analytical Reasoning

Sub-topic

Direction & Distance

Type

Factual single

Difficulty

Medium

Source hint

Two friends X and Y running on a track

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