Question

Jatin starts from Point A and drives 9 km towards West. He then takes a right turn, drives 7 km, turns right and drives 13 km. He then takes a right turn and drives 11 km. He takes a final right turn, drives 4 km and stops at Point P. How far (shortest distance) and towards which direction should he drive in order to reach Point A again? (All turns are 90 degrees turns only unless specified)

• A. 5 km to the south
• B. 5 km to the north
• C. 4 km to the south
• D. 4 km to the north

Answer 1

Answer:

D. 4 km to the north

To reach Point A again, Jatin should drive 4 km towards the North.

1. Drives 9 km West: He is now 9 km west of the starting line.

   • Position: 9 km West

2. Takes a right turn and drives 7 km: Turning right from West means he is now heading North.

   • Position: 9 km West, 7 km North

3. Takes a right turn and drives 13 km: Turning right from North means he is heading East. He travels 9 km to get back in line with Point A, plus an additional 4 km east.

   • Position: 4 km East, 7 km North

4. Takes a right turn and drives 11 km: Turning right from East means he is heading South. He travels 7 km to get back to the baseline level of Point A, plus another 4 km south.

   • Position: 4 km East, 4 km South

5. Takes a final right turn and drives 4 km (Point P): Turning right from South means he is heading West. Driving 4 km brings him exactly back in line vertically with Point A.

   • Position: 0 km East/West, 4 km South

Conclusion

Point P is exactly 4 km directly South of Point A. Therefore, to return to Point A, he needs to drive 4 km North.