At 10 10, Mark left Town Z for Town A, driving at a speed of 75 km/h. At 12 10, Eric also left Town Z for Town A driving at a certain speed. Both of them did not change their speed throughout the journey. At 15 10, both of them passed a bank that was 150 km away from Town A. How many minutes earlier did Eric reach Town A than Mark?

Distance that Mark travelled
= 5 x 75
= 375 km

Distance between Town Z and Town A
= 375 + 150
= 525 km

Since Eric passed the bank at the same time as Mark, it means that Eric travelled 375 km in 3 hours.

Eric's speed during the journey
= 375 ÷ 3
= 125 km/h

Duration that Eric took to reach Town A after passing the bank
= 150 ÷ 125
= 1.2 h

Duration that Mark took to reach Town A after passing the bank
= 150 ÷ 75
= 2 h

Difference between the time they took to reach Town A
= 2 - 1.2
= 0.8 h

1 h = 60 min
0.8 h = 0.8 x 60 = 48 min

Eric reached Town A 48 minutes earlier than Mark.

Answer(s): 48 min