At 14 40, Simon left Town Z for Town A, driving at a speed of 78 km/h. At 16 40, Tim also left Town Z for Town A driving at a certain speed. Both of them did not change their speed throughout the journey. At 18 40, both of them passed a florist that was 234 km away from Town A. How many minutes earlier did Tim reach Town A than Simon?

Distance that Simon travelled
= 4 x 78
= 312 km

Distance between Town Z and Town A
= 312 + 234
= 546 km

Since Tim passed the florist at the same time as Simon, it means that Tim travelled 312 km in 2 hours.

Tim's speed during the journey
= 312 ÷ 2
= 156 km/h

Duration that Tim took to reach Town A after passing the florist
= 234 ÷ 156
= 1.5 h

Duration that Simon took to reach Town A after passing the florist
= 234 ÷ 78
= 3 h

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

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

Tim reached Town A 90 minutes earlier than Simon.

Answer(s): 90 min