A person facing the East travels 4 km straight and then turns right and travels 3 km, then further turns left and travels 2 km and finally turns left and travels 3 km. The minimum distance between the final point and the initial point, and the direction in which the person is facing at the final point are, respectively
- (a) 12 km, East
- (b) 6 km, East
- (c) 8 km, North
- (d) 6 km, North ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Start at (0,0) facing East; travel 4 km East to reach (4,0).
• Turn right (now facing South) and travel 3 km to reach (4,-3).
• Turn left (now facing East) and travel 2 km to reach (6,-3).
• Turn left (now facing North) and travel 3 km to reach (6,0).
• The final position is (6,0) and the initial position is (0,0), so the minimum distance is 6 km.
• The person is facing North at the final point, matching option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 12 km, East
- The distance is 6 km, not 12 km, and the final direction is North, not East.
- (b) 6 km, East
- The final direction is North, not East.
- (c) 8 km, North
- The distance is 6 km, not 8 km, and the final direction is North, but the distance is incorrect.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.