Question

Who had solved the largest number of puzzles by the 20th minute from the start of the competition?

• A. Suranjan
• B. Koushik
• C. Chandranath
• D. Anirbid

Hint:

Draw a vertical reference at $t=20$ on the cumulative-puzzles chart. Compare only the heights of the four staircases where that line meets them.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Approach: Rather than read all four heights, race only the front-runners. From the chart, Koushik and Suranjan are the two who get off to the fastest starts, so the winner at minute 20 is whichever of those two is ahead; the slower two cannot overtake.

Step 1: Eliminate the laggards. Anirbid and Chandranath are both still around the $5$-puzzle mark at $t=20$, so neither can be the leader.

Step 2: Compare the two fast starters at $t=20$. Suranjan stands at $6$ puzzles; Koushik stands at $7$. Koushik is the higher of the two.

Step 3: Conclude. The most puzzles solved by minute $20$ is $7$, by Koushik.

Final answer: Koushik.