UPSC Prelims 2015·CSAT·Logical Reasoning·Arrangement and Puzzles

Shahid and Rohit start from the same point in opposite directions. After each 1 km, Shahid always turns left and Rohit always turns right. Which of the following statements is correct?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AAfter both have travelled 2 km, the distance between them is 4 km
  2. BThey meet after each has travelled 3kmCorrect
  3. CThey meet for the first time after each has travelled 4 km
  4. DThey go on without ever meeting again.

Explanation

Let's trace their paths step-by-step. Assume they start at the origin (0,0). Let Shahid initially go North and Rohit go South. Shahid's path (turns left after each 1 km): 1. Travels 1 km North: Position (0,1). Turns left, now facing West. 2. Travels 1 km West: Position (-1,1). Turns left, now facing South. 3. Travels 1 km South: Position (-1,0). Turns left, now facing East. Rohit's path (turns right after each 1 km): 1. Travels 1 km South: Position (0,-1). Turns right, now facing West. 2. Travels 1 km West: Position (-1,-1). Turns right, now facing North. 3. Travels 1 km North: Position (-1,0). Turns right, now facing East. Now let's evaluate the options: A) After both have travelled 2 km, the distance between them is 4 km. After 2 km: Shahid is at (-1,1). Rohit is at (-1,-1). The distance between them is the difference in their y-coordinates: 1 - (-1) = 2 km. So, A is incorrect. B) They meet after each has travelled 3km. After 3 km: Shahid is at (-1,0). Rohit is at (-1,0). They are at the same point, so they meet. This statement is correct. C) They meet for the first time after each has travelled 4 km. They met after 3 km, so this statement is incorrect. D) They go on without ever meeting again. They met after 3 km, so this statement is incorrect. The final answer is B
Logical Reasoning: Shahid and Rohit start from the same point in opposite directions. After each 1 km, Shahid always turns left and Rohit a

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