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 facing East: 4 km East.
• Turn right (now facing South): 3 km South. Turn left (facing East): 2 km East. Turn left (facing North): 3 km North.
• The 3 km South and 3 km North cancel, leaving 4 + 2 = 6 km East of the start.
• The person is 6 km away and facing North: (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 12 km, East
- 12 km is the total path length, not the shortest distance; and the person faces North.
- (b) 6 km, East
- The distance is 6 km but the final direction is North, not East.
- (c) 8 km, North
- The shortest distance is 6 km, not 8 km.
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.