AN optical illusion has challenged drivers to work out which of these four cars will receive fuel first.
The image, originally posted to X, shows the motors linked to a central fuel reservoir by a complex system of pipes and tanks.
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One the left hand side, cars A and B are joined by a common tank with one pipe leading to each.
A similar set-up applies for C and D, but this time with the addition of an extra tank underneath.
The structure works a little bit like a fountain – as the tank at the top fills, the fuel flows out the pipes at the sides and down towards the cars.
The trick is to work out which side’s tank will fill up first and then which car will first receive fuel from that tank.
It generated plenty of discussion on social media, with users taking to the comments to offer their solutions.
One wrote: “B first, C second.”
Another added: “Depends on the rate of flow.
“Given A has a longer distance for the fuel to travel I would expect the possibility of the fuel backing up and potentially fill B first – shorter distance.”
Even Top Gear legend James May ventured a theory, saying: “B would get the first dribble but A would fill first.”
And the TV star might just have nailed it, as Sun Motors reckons he’s right.
The top tank would send fuel out to both side’s tank equally but C and D can be eliminated as it would pour straight into the bottom tank on that side.
Even the small amount of fuel that would run into C as it dribbled down the wall of the tank wouldn’t put it in top spot as the pipe connecting it is much longer than for B.
As such, B will get a small amount of fuel first as it runs down the wall of the tank on the left-hand side.
However, car A would be the first to actually fill up as the inlet to its pipe is closer to the bottom of the tank than B’s.
This means that as the left-side tank fills, fuel will start to run into A it rises high enough to pour into B in any meaningful quanity.
Assuming a constant rate of flow, A will then fill faster than B.
It comes after motorists were tested against a series of other car-related brainteasers.
For example, everyone can see the little girl in this image, but only the eagle-eyed can work out what’s really going on.
Likewise, you have the eyes of a hawk if you can spot all the animals in this picture in 15 seconds.
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