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Re: Peter can drive to work via the expressway or via the backroads, which
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19 Dec 2019, 01:31
On this question, we will have to find a difference in the time taken by Peter while driving on two different routes.
The equation to find out time is,
Time = \(\frac{Distance }{ Speed}\).
As such, we will need the information about the distance and the speeds to be able to find the times and hence the difference. With this in mind, let us analyse the statements.
From statement I alone, we know that Peter drives at 60 mph regardless of the route. We also know that the round trip took him an hour. Therefore, the one-way distance to work should be 30 miles, when using the back roads. However, do we know that it’s the same distance when using the expressway as well? Clearly not.
That’s why, statement I alone is insufficient. Answer options A and D can be eliminated. Possible answer options are B, C or E.
From statement II alone, we know the total time spent by Peter when he takes the expressway. No information about what happens when he uses the back roads.
Statement II alone is therefore insufficient. Answer option B can be eliminated. Possible answer options are C or E.
Combining the data from statements I and II, we have the following:
From statement I, we know that Peter travelled for a total of 60 minutes; from statement II, we know that he travelled for 2/3rd of an hour i.e. 40 minutes. This is enough to calculate the difference between the two times.
Statement I and II are sufficient when taken together. Answer option E can be eliminated.
The correct answer option is C.
Note that, when you combine the statements, you do not have to worry about the distance travelled by him when using the expressways. Clearly, finding it out would only set you back in terms of time; as long as you know the times taken in both cases, why would you want to find the distance travelled on the expressway, because, remember that you are trying to find the difference in the times.
Hope that helps!