At 14 40, Asher left Town T for Town U, driving at a speed of 87 km/h. At 16 40, Tim also left Town T for Town U driving at a certain speed. Both of them did not change their speed throughout the journey. At 18 40, both of them passed a mall that was 261 km away from Town U. How many minutes earlier did Tim reach Town U than Asher?

Distance that Asher travelled
= 4 x 87
= 348 km

Distance between Town T and Town U
= 348 + 261
= 609 km

Since Tim passed the mall at the same time as Asher, it means that Tim travelled 348 km in 2 hours.

Tim's speed during the journey
= 348 ÷ 2
= 174 km/h

Duration that Tim took to reach Town U after passing the mall
= 261 ÷ 174
= 1.5 h

Duration that Asher took to reach Town U after passing the mall
= 261 ÷ 87
= 3 h

Difference between the time they took to reach Town U
= 3 - 1.5
= 1.5 h

1 h = 60 min
1.5 h = 1.5 x 60 = 90 min

Tim reached Town U 90 minutes earlier than Asher.

Answer(s): 90 min