Explanation:

Let’s break it down step by step:

- Pankaj starts at A, walks 3km east to B.

- Turns left (now facing north), goes 4km to C.

- Turns right (east again), 5km to D.

- Turns 90 degrees clockwise (now south), walks 8km to E.

- Point F is 4km east of E.

- Separately, Anuj starts at T, goes 6km west to U.

- Turns left (now south), walks 4km to S.

- Q is 3km east of P.

- R is 3km east of S and 4km north of Q.

- P is east of A and north of F.

Now, about the distance between A and Q:

- Since P is east of A and Q is 3km east of P, and also P is north of F—let’s find the coordinates.

- The path calculations put F at (12, -8) if we assign A’s position as (0,0).

- P is directly above F (north), and east of A. The vertical distance from A to F is 8km downward; so P’s vertical (y) will just be some number greater than -8.

- Q is 3km to the east of P.

Here’s what this really means:

The direct line (shortest distance) from A to Q is the hypotenuse of a right triangle with one leg 13km (horizontal sum) and the other 4km (vertical difference, because Q will be 4km north of A).

Use the Pythagorean theorem:

Distance = v(13² + 4²) = v(169 + 16) = v185 ˜ 13.6 km

Let’s look at the options:

1. 13km

2. 9km

3. 18km

4. 16km

5. 22km

Closest to our calculation: Option 1 (13km).

Correct Answer: Option 1 - 13km

So, the shortest distance between point A and point Q is 13km, not 16km. The right answer is option 1.