Puzzle: 213                                                                                                                16.07.2018

Suresh and Mahesh took turns driving on a trip to Chennai and back. Suresh drove the first 40 kms and Mahesh the rest of the way to Chennai. On the way back Suresh stared to drive and Mahesh drove the last 50 kms. Which of the two drove most and how more did he drive?

The answer for puzzle-212: July 12

Solution for puzzle-212:

Total cars purchased in 2 weeks =  5* 14*2 =140

First day he sells 6 cars and buys 2 cars – net sale = 4 cars

Second day he sells 6 cars and buys 2 cars – net sale = 4 cars

Third  day he sells 5 cars and buys 3 cars – net sale = 2 cars

For a cycle of 3 days net sale = 10 cars

Since he was having in hand already 140cars, it would take 14 cycles of 3 days to bring the balance to zero. But it is not so.

Normally in these type of problems, we have to calculate the balance for the last but one cycle and then proceed day by day.

At the end of 13^th cycle ie., at the end of 39^th day, he would have sold 130 cars out 140cars and will be having in hand 10 cars.

Now on 40^th day he sells 6 cars and buys 2 cars

So at the end of 40^th day he will be having 6 cars in hand

On 41^st day he will sell 6 cars and buy 2 cars.

Since he is having only 6 cars in hand at the end of 40^th day, as soon as he sells 6 cars on 41^st day,  he will not be having any car in hand.

So on 41^st day he will shut down his business.

Commencing from June 2, if you calculate 41^st day, it will be July 12.