Ishaan and Zoya start at the same time from towns A and B and walk towards each other at steady speeds. They first meet 60 km from A. Each continues to the far town, turns back at once, and they meet again 40 km from B. How far apart are A and B?

Explanation

1. 01

   At the first meeting they have together covered the distance AB once; Ishaan has done 60 km.

2. 02

   At the second meeting they have together covered $3 \times AB$, so Ishaan has done $3 \times 60 = 180$ km.

3. 03

   Ishaan has walked AB and then 40 km back, so $AB + 40 = 180$.

4. 04

   $AB = 140$ km.