Multiple choice

There is a road beside a river. Two friends started from a place A, moved to a temple situated at another place B and then returned to A again. One of them moves on a cycle at a speed of 6 km/hr, While the other sails on a boat at a speed of 8 km/hr. If the river flows at the speed of 6 km/hr, which of the two friends will return to place A first?

  1. Cyclist

  2. Sailor

  3. Both come at same time

  4. Any other

  5. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Let the distance between A and B be d. The cyclist travels at a constant speed of 6 km/hr both ways, taking a total time of d/6 + d/6 = d/3 hours. The sailor travels downstream at 8 + 6 = 14 km/hr and upstream at 8 - 6 = 2 km/hr, taking a total time of d/14 + d/2 = 4d/7 hours. Since d/3 is less than 4d/7, the cyclist returns first.

AI explanation

Let the distance be D, so the cyclist takes D/6 hours to go and D/6 hours to return, totaling D/3 hours. The sailor travels downstream at 8 + 6 = 14 km/hr and upstream at 8 minus 6 = 2 km/hr, taking D/14 + D/2 hours, which totals 4D/7 hours. Comparing 1/3 and 4/7 shows the cyclist takes less time. The cyclist will return to place A first.

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