Question

Mukesh starts from Point A and drives 5 km towards West. He then takes a left turn, drives 6 km, turns left and drives 11 km. He then takes a left turn and drives 12 km. He takes a final left turn, drives 6 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. 6 km to the north
• B. 5 km to the south
• C. 5 km to the north
• D. 6 km to the south

Answer 1

Answer:

D. 6 km to the south

He should drive 6 km towards South to reach Point A from Point P. Assuming Point A starts at the coordinates (0, 0):

• Drive 5 km West: Position is now (-5, 0).

• Turn left (South) and drive 6 km: Position is now (-5, -6).

• Turn left (East) and drive 11 km: Position is now (6, -6).

• Turn left (North) and drive 12 km: Position is now (6, 6).

• Turn left (West) and drive 6 km: Final position (Point P) is (0, 6).

Since Point P is at (0, 6) and Point A is at (0, 0), Mukesh is exactly 6 km directly North of his starting point. Therefore, to return to Point A, he must travel 6 km South.