Pating and his wife are at the entrance of their sub-division. Their sub-division is actually just a long straight road with no side streets. Their house is
1 kilometre away from the entrance. While waiting for a cab to take them home, Pating decides to walk his way to their house (he needs the exercise) leaving his wife in the entrance. He walks at a steady pace of 3km/hr. After 18 minutes, his wife finally manages to hail a cab and orders the driver to take her home. The cab goes at a constant speed of 40km/hr. Who will reach his/her house first?
Answer
Using the formula of D = RT, where D is distance, R = rate or speed, T = time:
For Pating, he will reach the house if he continues on walking in (1km)/(3km/hr) = .33333hr or 20 minutes.
For his wife, she will reach the house in (1km)/(40km/hr) = .025hr or 1.5 minutes. Counting the 18 minutes lead time of Pating, 19.5 minutes.
So Pating’s wife will reach her home first.
But if this is a combination of a maths and trick question, they will arrive at their house together.
If his wife really loves him, she’ll let him inside the cab as soon as the cab overtakes Pating.