Difficult PS Q?

Question

Hi All--

I got this problem during a practice test today.

Train M and Train N are traveling in the same direction on parallel sets of tracks. Train M is traveling at 2^m miles per hour, and Train N is traveling at 2^n miles per hour, with N>M. If Train M is initially 2^m+1 miles ahead of Train N, how many hours will it take Train N to catch up with Train M?

Two Questions:

1. I'm curious how you guys would rank this problem, difficulty-wise. To me, it seemed very tough. Is this something I'd actually see on the GMAT? And if so, do you think it'd be considered a 700lvl question, or am I just failing at math?

2. I tried to solve the question algebraically, but it was such a long calculation. I ended up sinking about 5 minutes into the problem, and I still got it wrong in the end. Is there a better way to solve it?

Thanks for the help!

shankar.ashwin · Answer

Just miles ahead? or is there a number?

briology wrote:Hi All--

I got this problem during a practice test today.

Train M and Train N are traveling in the same direction on parallel sets of tracks. Train M is traveling at 2^m miles per hour, and Train N is traveling at 2^n miles per hour, with N>M. If Train M is initially miles ahead of Train N, how many hours will it take Train N to catch up with Train M?

briology · Answer

Sorry! Train M is initially 2^m+1 miles ahead

gmatclubmember · Answer

The faster train is gaining distance over the slower train at the speed of 2^n - 2^m.
Total distance to be covered is 2^(m+1)
Time required to catch up with the slower train is:

2^(m+1)/(2^n-2^m)

Is this the OA?

Cheers
Ami/-

shankar.ashwin · Answer

The faster train needs to cover a distance of 2^(m+1) to catch up the slower train at the rate of 2^n - 2^m (Relative speed, given n>m)

Distance = Speed * Time

Time = 2^(m+1)/2^(n-m)

= 2^(2m-n+1)

Its just complicated in its wordings I guess, and given answer choices, you could always substitute values of m and n and see which one satisfies, guess that would make it a lot more easier

gmatclubmember · Answer

shankar.ashwin wrote:The faster train needs to cover a distance of 2^(m+1) to catch up the slower train at the rate of 2^n - 2^m (Relative speed, given n>m)

Distance = Speed * Time

Time = 2^(m+1)/2^(n-m)

= 2^(2m-n+1)

Its just complicated in its wordings I guess, and given answer choices, you could always substitute values of m and n and see which one satisfies, guess that would make it a lot more easier

Ashwin
The calculation 2^(n-m) is incorrect in your answer. 2^n-2^m cannot be 2^(n-m).

Cheers
Ami/-

briology · Answer

OA = 2/(2^n-m - 1)

shankar.ashwin · Answer

Oops my bad... Just didnt realize. Thanks BTW

gmatclubmember wrote:
shankar.ashwin wrote:The faster train needs to cover a distance of 2^(m+1) to catch up the slower train at the rate of 2^n - 2^m (Relative speed, given n>m)

Distance = Speed * Time

Time = 2^(m+1)/2^(n-m)

= 2^(2m-n+1)

Its just complicated in its wordings I guess, and given answer choices, you could always substitute values of m and n and see which one satisfies, guess that would make it a lot more easier

Ashwin
The calculation 2^(n-m) is incorrect in your answer. 2^n-2^m cannot be 2^(n-m).

Cheers
Ami/-

gmatclubmember · Answer

briology wrote:OA = 2/(2^n-m - 1) You will get this answer when you divide 2^(m+1)/(2^n-2^m) by 2^m in numerator and denominator. Cheers Ami/-

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