2023 · Q45
A man walks in a certain direction for 5 km and then walks in the south direction for 4 km. If he ends up in the east direction for 4 km. If he ends up in the east direction with respect to the starting position, how far is he from the starting position?
General Mental Ability, Quantitative Aptitude and StatisticsTime, work and measurement
- A2 km
- B3 km
- C4 km
- D5 km
Explanation
The man first walks 5 km in a direction with a 4 km northward component, then walks 4 km due south, which exactly cancels the northward drift. By the 3-4-5 triangle, his eastward displacement from the first leg is 3 km, and since the southward leg leaves him due east of the start, he is 3 km from the starting position, option (b). The 5-4-3 right triangle is the classic distance pattern this question tests.