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Bunuel
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General Discussion
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uttamkgulshan
This is what formula?
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There is no such formula. This is a derived shortcut after practising such questions.

Posted from my mobile device
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Sa= velocity of Train A
Sb = velocity of Train B
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The fastest way to do this is to use logic and looking at the options available.
Since A took 16 hours to reach its destination after both trains met, and B took 25 hours to reach its destination, it means A definitely took more than 16x2=32 hours but less than 32+9=41 hours since B took 9 more hours than A to reach. Hence, the hours taken by A should be between 32 and 41 hours which is option B is the only option.
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What we're solving for:
The time it took for the first train to make the whole trip.
Given:
  • After meeting, the trains were 675 miles apart in 3 hours.
  • The first train arrived at its destination 16 hours after meeting.
  • The second train arrived at its destination 25 hours after meeting.
[hr]
Helpful information:
  • Distance = Speed × Time
  • When two objects move toward each other, their relative speed is the sum of their individual speeds.
[hr]
How to solve:
Find the speeds of the two trains and then calculate the total distance traveled by the first train. Finally, calculate the total time taken by the first train.
[hr]
Step 1: Calculate the combined speed of the two trains
  • The trains were 675 miles apart after 3 hours.
  • Combined speed = 675 miles / 3 hours = 225 mph
[hr]
Step 2: Find the ratio of the speeds of the two trains
  • Let v1 be the speed of the first train and v2 be the speed of the second train.
  • Time taken after meeting:
    • First train = 16 hours
    • Second train = 25 hours
  • The ratio of speeds is the square root of the inverse ratio of times:
    • v1 / v2 = √(25 / 16) = 5 / 4
[hr]
Step 3: Calculate individual speeds
  • Given: v1 + v2 = 225 and v1 / v2 = 5 / 4
  • Substitute v1 = (5 / 4) × v2 into the sum:
    • (5 / 4)v2 + v2 = 225
    • (9 / 4)v2 = 225
    • v2 = (4 / 9) × 225 = 100 mph
    • v1 = (5 / 4) × 100 = 125 mph
[hr]
Step 4: Distance traveled by first train after meeting
  • Speed of first train = 125 mph
  • Time after meeting = 16 hours
  • Distance = 125 × 16 = 2000 miles
[hr]
Step 5: Distance traveled by second train after meeting = distance first train covered before meeting
  • Speed of second train = 100 mph
  • Time after meeting = 25 hours
  • Distance = 100 × 25 = 2500 miles
  • Time for first train to reach meeting point = 2500 / 125 = 20 hours
[hr]
Step 6: Total time taken by first train
  • Time before meeting = 20 hours
  • Time after meeting = 16 hours
  • Total time = 20 + 16 = 36 hours
[hr]
✅ Final Answer: 36 hours
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it is very easy. see we know T=under root t1*t2; that is 20 hrs to meet . so first train complete 20 hrs +16 hours=36 hours. answer B
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Two trains A and B left from two stations towards station B and station A respectively. 3 hours after they met, the trains were 675 miles apart. The first train arrived at its destination 16 hours after their meeting and the second train arrived at its destination 25 hours after their meeting.

How long did it take for the first train to make the whole trip?

Let distance between station A & station B be D miles and speed of train A & train B be x & y mph respectively.

Let us suppose that they met after t hours.

(x + y) t = D
x + y = D/t

(x+y)3 = 675
x + y = 675/3 = 225 mph = D/t
D = 225t miles


D/x = 16 + t ; x = D/(16+t) = 225t/(16+t)
D/y = 25 + t ; y = D/(25+t) = 225t/(25+t)

x + y = 225 = 225t/(16+t) + 225t/(25+t) = 225t(41+2t)/(16+t)(25+t)
41t + 2t^2 = (16+t)(25+t) = 400 + 41t + t^2
t^2 = 400; t = 20 hours

Time taken by first train for the whole trip = 16 + t = 16 + 20 = 36 hours

IMO B
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Here is how i did it, let me know if it makes sense:

1) find relative speed --> 675 (km done after meeting)/3 (hours after meeting) = 225
2) find Individual Speeds ---> I know A takes 16h to finish and B 25 to finish so A is 5/4 as fast as B. Therefore A/B = 5/4 & A+B = 225, in this way i know that Speed of A= 125 and Speed of B= 100
3) use speeds to calculate total distance ---> B takes 25 hours at 100kmh so 2500km, A takes 16 hours at 125kph so 2000km
4) find time taken by A ---> Tot distance= 4500/ Speed A= 125 = 36 ----> Choice B
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is there a shorter quicker way to solve this @bunuel @karishmab
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Using the shortcut t^2=root(16*25) one can solve for t=20. Then total time taken = 20+16=36.
Answer: Option B
Bunuel
Two trains A and B left from two stations towards station B and station A respectively. 3 hours after they met, the trains were 675 miles apart. The first train arrived at its destination 16 hours after their meeting and the second train arrived at its destination 25 hours after their meeting. How long did it take for the first train to make the whole trip?

A. 18 hours
B. 36 hours
C. 25 hours
D. 48 hours
E. 60 hours


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