Maths : Basic Numeracy

Q 347 / 370

UPSC CSE Prelims 2013

A person can walk a certain distance and drive back in six hours. He can also walk both ways in 10 hours. How much time will he take to drive both ways?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (1)

Let W represent the time taken to walk the distance one way, and D represent the time taken to drive the same distance one way.

  • The problem states that a person can walk a certain distance and drive back in six hours. This translates to the equation: W + D = 6 hours.
  • It is also stated that the person can walk both ways in 10 hours. This implies: W + W = 10 hours, or 2W = 10 hours.
  • From the equation 2W = 10 hours, the time taken to walk one way (W) is calculated as 10 / 2 = 5 hours.
  • Substitute the value of W (5 hours) into the first equation: 5 + D = 6 hours.
  • Solving for D, the time taken to drive one way is D = 6 - 5 = 1 hour.
  • The question asks for the total time taken to drive both ways. This is equivalent to D + D, or 2D.
  • Therefore, the time taken to drive both ways is 2 * 1 hour = 2 hours.

Incorrect Options:

Options 2 (Two and a half hours), 3 (Five and a half hours), and 4 (Four hours) are incorrect. The precise calculation based on the given conditions establishes that the time required to drive both ways is 2 hours, which none of these options represent.