Swimming pool circular strip

XAT 2026 · Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation · Hard · Time Speed Distance

The swimming pool in an exclusive club is a circular strip. A water flow is artificially maintained in the strip, along a clockwise direction, at a constant speed of 3 km/h3\text{ km/h}. One morning, Ayub and Rana start swimming at the same time from two diametrically opposite points on the strip. Ayub swims in a counterclockwise direction, while Rana swims in a clockwise direction. They swim at constant, but different, speeds. When they meet for the first time, Ayub has covered 60 m60\text{ m}. They meet again after Rana has covered 180 m180\text{ m} from the first meeting point.

If Rana swims at the speed of 3 km/h3\text{ km/h} in still water, how long does Ayub take to complete one round of the circular strip, if he swims in the clockwise direction?

  1. A.

    4 minutes 30 seconds

  2. B.

    2 minutes 15 seconds

  3. C.

    None of the other options is correct

  4. D.

    1 minute 48 seconds

  5. E.

    54 seconds

Answer

D

Explanation

Water current r=3 km/h=50 m/minr = 3\text{ km/h} = 50\text{ m/min} (clockwise). Rana's speed in still water Sr=3 km/h=50 m/minS_r = 3\text{ km/h} = 50\text{ m/min}. Rana swims downstream (clockwise), so his net speed VR=50+50=100 m/minV_R = 50 + 50 = 100\text{ m/min}. Ayub swims upstream (counterclockwise), so his net speed VA=Sa−50 m/minV_A = S_a - 50\text{ m/min}.

For first meeting, Ayub covers 60 m60\text{ m} in time t1=60Sa−50t_1 = \frac{60}{S_a - 50}. Rana covers distance VRt1=100×60Sa−50=6000Sa−50V_R t_1 = 100 \times \frac{60}{S_a - 50} = \frac{6000}{S_a - 50}. Since they start from diametrically opposite points, πr=60+6000Sa−50\pi r = 60 + \frac{6000}{S_a - 50}.

For second meeting, Rana covers 180 m180\text{ m} in time t2=180100=1.8 mint_2 = \frac{180}{100} = 1.8\text{ min}. In t2t_2, total relative distance covered equals full circumference 2πr2\pi r. 2πr=180+(Sa−50)×1.82\pi r = 180 + (S_a - 50) \times 1.8. Substituting πr\pi r: 2(60+6000Sa−50)=180+1.8(Sa−50)2\left(60 + \frac{6000}{S_a - 50}\right) = 180 + 1.8(S_a - 50). Let t=Sa−50t = S_a - 50: 120+12000t=180+1.8t  ⟹  3t2+100t−20000=0  ⟹  t=2003120 + \frac{12000}{t} = 180 + 1.8t \implies 3t^2 + 100t - 20000 = 0 \implies t = \frac{200}{3}.

Thus Sa=50+2003=3503 m/minS_a = 50 + \frac{200}{3} = \frac{350}{3}\text{ m/min}. Circumference 2πr=180+1.8×2003=300 m2\pi r = 180 + 1.8 \times \frac{200}{3} = 300\text{ m}.

If Ayub swims clockwise (downstream), his net speed =Sa+50=3503+50=5003 m/min= S_a + 50 = \frac{350}{3} + 50 = \frac{500}{3}\text{ m/min}. Time for one round =300500/3=95 min=1 min 48 sec= \frac{300}{500/3} = \frac{9}{5}\text{ min} = 1\text{ min } 48\text{ sec}.

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