Relative Speed question

Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 11:33 pm

Relative Speed question

by sukh » Thu Aug 18, 2011 1:38 am
Two trains running at 63 kmph and 45 kmph cross each other in 15 seconds when they run in opposite direction. When they run in same direction, a person in the faster train observes that he crossed the other train in 40 seconds. Find the length of two trains
Source: — Quantitative Reasoning |

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1035
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:13 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 474 times
Followed by:365 members

by VivianKerr » Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:30 am
Since the trains are going in opposite directions, their speed in relation to each other is the total of their two speeds. 63 + 45 = 108 kmh.

We'll need to do some conversion here. 1 kilometer = 1000 meters, and 1 hr = 3600 seconds.

108 kilometers = 108,000 meters
1 hour = 3600 seconds

108 km/h = 108,000m/3600s = 30 meters per second

So in 15 seconds, the trains cover 30 x 15 = 450 meters.
Vivian Kerr
GMAT Rockstar, Tutor
https://www.GMATrockstar.com
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gmat-rockstar-los-angeles

Former Kaplan and Grockit instructor, freelance GMAT content creator, now offering affordable, effective, Skype-tutoring for the GMAT at $150/hr. Contact: [email protected]

Thank you for all the "thanks" and "follows"! :-)

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 77
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2011 11:49 pm
Thanked: 3 times

by mukgera » Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:04 am
This answers only the total length:
LTa (Length of Train A) + LTb (Length of Train B) = 450 meters

From the second Part of the question

Since the man could see the other train getting passed in 40 sec.

LTa = (63-45)* (40/3600) = 200meters

So Ltb = 450 - 200 = 250 meters