Multiple choice

A train 100 m long travelling at 40 m/s starts overtaking another train 200 m long travelling at 30 m/s. The time taken by the first train to pass the second train completely is:

  1. 30 s

  2. 40 s

  3. 50 s

  4. 60 s

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A Correct answer
Explanation

The relative speed of the first train with respect to the second is 40 - 30 = 10 m/s. The total distance to cover is the sum of the lengths of both trains, 100 + 200 = 300 m. Time = distance / relative speed = 300 / 10 = 30 s.

AI explanation

Since the trains are moving in the same direction, their relative velocity is the difference of their speeds, which gives 40 m/s minus 30 m/s equal to 10 m/s. The total distance to be covered is the sum of their lengths, giving 100 m plus 200 m equal to 300 m. Using the time formula where time equals distance divided by speed, the time taken is 300 m divided by 10 m/s, which results in 30 s.