UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies
Question 132: Basic Numeracy
Total time taken by a person in going to a place by walking and returning on cycle is 5 hours 45 minutes. He would have gained 2 hours by cycling both ways. The time taken by him to walk both ways is
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Let the one-way walking time be w and the one-way cycling time c. Walk one way and cycle back: w + c = 5.75 hours. Cycling both ways takes 2c, which is 2 hours less: 2c = 5.75 - 2 = 3.75, so c = 1.875 h. Then w = 5.75 - 1.875 = 3.875 h, and walking both ways = 2w = 7.75 h = 7 hours 45 minutes.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) 6 h 45 min would need a one-way walk of 3.375 h, which fails the equations.
- (b) Correct: 2 x 3.875 h = 7 h 45 min.
- (c) 8 h 15 min is too long.
- (d) 8 h 30 min is too long.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.