• A ship(s) is at 40km towards east of another ship(p) at 10:00 AM. S is moving towards west at 12kmph and p is moving towards south at 16kmph . What will be the minimum and maximum distance between them?

As indicated in the diagram the points PS are 40 Km apart

As S ship moves towards west at 12Kmph, at the end of 1 hour, it would cover 12Km; Similarly at the end of 2 hours, it would cover 24 Km; at the end of 3 hours, it would cover 36 Km from east to west

Similarly, the ship P moves towards south and covers 16Km in one hour, 32 Km in 2 hours and 48Km in 3 hours

At the end of one hour, distance between the ships is AQ = sqrt[ (28)² + (16)² ] = 32.24 Km; Note: From the figure, 40 -12 = 28

At the end of second hour, distance between the ships is BR = sqrt[ (16)² + (32)² ] = 35.77 Km; Note: From the figure, 40 -24 = 16

At the end of third hour, distance between the ships is CS = sqrt[ (4)² + (48)² ] = 32.25 Km; Note: From the figure, 40 -36 = 4

Hence, the shortest distance is at the end of 1 hour and the greatest distance is at the end of 2 hours.