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UPSC CSE CSAT 2021 · Paper II (CSAT) · Question 29 · Arithmetic: percentage, ratio, averages, time & work

एक व्यक्ति X, स्थान A से तथा एक अन्य व्यक्ति Y, स्थान B से एक ही समय पर एक-दूसरे की ओर चलना आरंभ…

UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Question 29 — Arithmetic: percentage, ratio, averages, time & work.

एक व्यक्ति X, स्थान A से तथा एक अन्य व्यक्ति Y, स्थान B से एक ही समय पर एक-दूसरे की ओर चलना आरंभ करते हैं । दोनों स्थानों के बीच की दूरी 15 km है ।

X, 1·5 km/hr की एकसमान चाल से चलता है और Y पहले घंटे में 1 km/hr की एकसमान चाल से, दूसरे घंटे में 1·25 km/hr की एकसमान चाल से तथा तीसरे घंटे में 1·5 km/hr की एकसमान चाल से चलता है और इसी प्रकार आगे भी चलना जारी रखता है ।

निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से सही है/हैं ?

  1. 1.उन दोनों को मिलने में 5 घंटे का समय लगेगा ।
  2. 2.वे दोनों A तथा B स्थानों के बीचों-बीच मिलेंगे ।

नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिए :

Read this question in English

A person X from a place A and another person Y from a place B set out at the same time to walk towards each other. The places are separated by a distance of 15 km.

X walks with a uniform speed of 1.5 km/hr and Y walks with a uniform speed of 1 km/hr in the first hour, with a uniform speed of 1.25 km/hr in the second hour and with a uniform speed of 1.5 km/hr in the third hour and so on.

Which of the following is/are correct?

1. They take 5 hours to meet.

2. They meet midway between A and B.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only · (b) 2 only · (c) Both 1 and 2 · (d) Neither 1 nor 2

उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English

Answer: (c) 1 और 2 दोनों

Adding the hourly distances, the two close the 15 km gap exactly at the end of the 5th hour. X walks 5 × 1.5 = 7.5 km and Y walks 1 + 1.25 + 1.5 + 1.75 + 2 = 7.5 km, so they meet midway — both statements hold.

  1. Distance closed in each hour: 1.5 + 1 = 2.5, then 1.5 + 1.25 = 2.75, then 3, 3.25, 3.5 km.
  2. Running total: 2.5, 5.25, 8.25, 11.5, 15 km — they meet at the end of the 5th hour.
  3. X covers 5 × 1.5 = 7.5 km; Y covers 1 + 1.25 + 1.5 + 1.75 + 2 = 7.5 km.
  4. Each covers half of 15 km, so they meet midway.
  5. Check: Y's average speed over 5 hours is 7.5 ÷ 5 = 1.5 km/hr, equal to X's speed — hence midway.
  • ✓ 1. The combined distance reaches 15 km exactly after 5 hours.
  • ✓ 2. Both walk 7.5 km in those 5 hours, so the meeting point is the midpoint.

Remember · With speeds changing hour by hour, tabulate the hours; for an arithmetic progression of speeds, the average speed gives a quick check.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2021, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

Cite this question: UPSC CSE CSAT 2021, Q29 — minimalistias.com/pyqs/csat/2021/q29

In the UPSC syllabus: Arithmetic: percentage, ratio, averages, time & work › Time, speed & distance See it and tick it covered →

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