Really, and i don't understand why is there geometry question in quant when it has been removed from the syllabus
Please don't make this question appear on my actual GMAT, or else I'm going to cry tears of blood. The answer to this question is option B 0.88s. Here's how:At any time t, displacement is given by t(6-t)
The displacement vector forms a triangle with the two radii. The central angle of this triangle is given by
Ω = cos^{-1}(2r2-t2(6-t)2 ÷ 2r2)
At this point of time, the distance traveled is given by
D = (Ω/360)*2πr = 2πr/6
Therefore, Ω=60
Taking cos on both sides, we get
2r2-t2(6-t)2 ÷ 2r2 = cos(60) = 1 ÷ 2
Therefore, 2r2 - t2(6-t)2 = r2
Or t2(6-t)2 = r2
Or t(6-t) = r
We have the Displacement function as t(6-t) which can be differentiated to find its maxima. The maxima occurs at 6-2t=0 or at t=3 and is equal to 3*(6-3) = 9 in magnitude.
We know that this will happen at a point which is diametrically opposite to the starting point, and hence 2r = 9 or r = 9/2
Plugging this back into our equation we get,
t(6-t) = r
6t-t2 = 9/2
12t-2t2 = 9
2t2-12t+9 = 0
Solving this using Quadratic formula we get,
t = 12±√72 ÷ 4
Or t = 12±6√2 ÷ 4
Or t = 3±3/√2
3/√2 is 3/1.41 or ~~2.12
Therefore, t = 0.88 or 5.12
Since we are concerned with the earlier of the two as the concerned point is 1/6th of the circumference away and not 5/6th, our answer here is 0.88s, option B.Posted from my mobile device