Nicky and Cristina are running a 500 meter race. Since Cristina is faster than Nicky, she gives him a 12 second head start. If Cristina runs at a pace of 5 meters per second and Nicky runs at a pace of only 3 meters per second, how many seconds will Nicky have run before Cristina catches up to him? Options.
A) 50  B) 45  C) 40  D) 35  E) 30

Rationale: "the distance traveled by both of them is the same at the time of overtaking . 3 ( t + 12 ) = 5 t t = 18 . cristina will catch up nicky in 18 seconds . so in 18 seconds cristina would cover = 18 * 5 = 90 meter . now time taken my nicky to cover 90 meter = 90 / 3 = 30 seconds . e"
Answer: E