Question

A cyclist drove one kilometer, with the wind in his back, in three minutes, and drove the same way back, against the wind, in four minutes. If we assume that the cyclist always puts constant force on the pedals, how much time would it take him to drive one kilometer without wind?

• A. 3 3/7 minutes
• B. The data given is not sufficient to find the answer
• C. 3.5 minutes
• D. None of these

Hint:

Constant force on the pedals is not the same as a constant speed added or removed by the wind, so check carefully whether the usual v+w, v-w method actually applies here.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

This is a trick question - 'constant force' is not 'constant speed'. Turning force into speed needs mass and resistance-vs-speed relationship, neither given. The apparent answer 3 3/7 min relies on an unstated constant-speed assumption.

Final Answer: Data insufficient, option (2).