A train leaves station P at 6 AM and reaches station Q at 10 AM. At the same…

2023

A train leaves station P at 6 AM and reaches station Q at 10 AM. At the same time (i.e. at 6 AM) another train leaves station Q and reaches station P at 9.30 AM. The two trains cross each other at

Answer: D. 7.52 AMCONCEPTWhen two bodies start simultaneously from opposite ends, their separation closes at the sum of their speeds. If the common route length is D and their…

  1. A.

    8 AM

  2. B.

    8.12 AM

  3. C.

    7.40 AM

  4. D.

    7.52 AM

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

CONCEPT

When two bodies start simultaneously from opposite ends, their separation closes at the sum of their speeds.

If the common route length is D and their full-journey times are t1 and t2, the meeting time after departure is D/(D/t1 + D/t2).

APPLICATION

  1. Let the distance PQ be D.

  2. The first train takes 4 hours, so its speed is D/4 per hour.

  3. The second train takes 3 hours 30 minutes = 7/2 hours, so its speed is 2D/7 per hour.

  4. Their closing speed is D/4 + 2D/7 = 15D/28 per hour.

  5. Meeting time = D/(15D/28) = 28/15 hours = 1 hour 52 minutes.

  6. Adding 1 hour 52 minutes to 6:00 AM gives 7:52 AM.

CROSS-CHECK

  1. In 28/15 hours, the first train covers 7D/15 and the second covers 8D/15.

  2. The two distances add to D, the full initial separation, confirming that the trains meet then.

RESULT

The trains cross at 7:52 AM.

Explore the full course: Ssc Cgl Tier 1

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