Question

Team X and Team Y have a tug of war. From their starting positions Team X pulls Team Y forward 3 meters, and Team X is then pulled forward 5 meters. Team Y then pulls Team X forward 2 meters. If the first team to be pulled forward 10 meters loses, how many more meters must Team Y pull Team X forward to win?

Answer 1

In any tug-o-war that I have participated in, the losing team has to be pulled a certain distance forward FROM THE STARTING POINT.

If that is the case in this instance, then

a) team X pulls Y forward 3m, therefore X's position is X - 3.

b) team Y pulls X forward 5m, therefore X's position is now X - 3 + 5

c) team Y pulls X forward another 2m, therefor X's position is X - 3 + 5 + 2 = X + 4.

That means that X is 4m in front of the starting position. So they must be pulled another 6m if Y is to win.