At 13 50, Eric left Town L for Town M, driving at a speed of 72 km/h. At 16 50, Sam also left Town L for Town M driving at a certain speed. Both of them did not change their speed throughout the journey. At 18 50, both of them passed a temple that was 216 km away from Town M. How many minutes earlier did Sam reach Town M than Eric?

Distance that Eric travelled
= 5 x 72
= 360 km

Distance between Town L and Town M
= 360 + 216
= 576 km

Since Sam passed the temple at the same time as Eric, it means that Sam travelled 360 km in 2 hours.

Sam's speed during the journey
= 360 ÷ 2
= 180 km/h

Duration that Sam took to reach Town M after passing the temple
= 216 ÷ 180
= 1.2 h

Duration that Eric took to reach Town M after passing the temple
= 216 ÷ 72
= 3 h

Difference between the time they took to reach Town M
= 3 - 1.2
= 1.8 h

1 h = 60 min
1.8 h = 1.8 x 60 = 108 min

Sam reached Town M 108 minutes earlier than Eric.

Answer(s): 108 min