Two persons start walking on a road that diverge at an angle of 120°.

hi techiesam,

can you please check if the question is correct, specifically whether one of the speeds is 3 kmph or 33 kmph
Also,
you can simply use the following formula for cos x to get your answer :

c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2abcos(120)
= a^2 + b^2 - 2ab(-1/2)
= a^2 + b^2 + ab

hi,

Don't be offended but isn't the maths inherent to subject correct ?

if you use c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2abcos(120)
= a^2 + b^2 - 2ab(-1/2)
= a^2 + b^2 + ab

a = 2 x 4 = 8
b = 3 x 4 = 12
Putting these values,
c^2 = 8^2 + 12^2 + (8)(12)
= 64 +144 + 96
= 304
c = 4√‾19

Saying Trigo isn't tested on the GMAT isn't changing the solution, my friend
Again, no offense meant.

Dear Moderator,
There is a typo in this question, the latter speed seems to be 3 kmph rather than 33 kmph, hope you will do the needful. Thank you.

________________
Edited. Thank you.

Longest side will be opposite to angle C. This means c should be more than 12.
Also by triangle property
4<c<20
Combining,
12<c<20.
By POE answer is B.
PS: sqrt 19 is almost 4.5

Posted from my mobile device

Hi chetan2u,
Just a small clarification required here, how can we conclude that the Hypotenuse is 8, why can't it be 12.
How do we deduce that the one going along side b is the one walking at 2mph , the one walking along side b could also be walking at 3mph then the Hypotenuse could be 12.

Am I missing anything? Thank you.

You should modify the answers to be in the correct order of either increasing or decreasing value as per GMAT guidelines.
Fastest way to do this problem is to use pythagorean theorum and find c = ~14.
Since the angle is greater than 90, we know the answer must be greater than 14.
4sqrt(19) and 8sqrt(19) are your only two choices.

Besides the fact that 8sqrt(19) is way too huge, if you multiply 14 by 1.3 (~30% larger since 120 is about 30% larger) you get the the answer should be somewhere between 14 and 18, with a number closer 18. 4sqrt(19) = 17.4 = ~17.

This kind of math obviously wouldn't fly on a straight math test, but this is the fastest way to approximate an answer. And unless the GMAT decides to be extremely unforgiving and interested in testing math skills rather than reasoning - then there should only be 1 answer that fits the condition of between 14 and 18, closer to 18.

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