Multiple choice

A train leaves Pune at $7.30$ a.m. and reaches Mumbai at $11.30$ a.m. Another train leaves Mumbai at $9.30$ a.m. and reaches Pune at $1.00$ p.m. Assuming that the two trains level at constant speeds, at what time do the trains cross each other?

  1. $10.20$ a.m.
  2. $10.26$ a.m.
  3. $11.30$ a.m.
  4. Data not sufficient.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
AI explanation

The first train takes 4 hours, and the second train takes 3.5 hours for the journey, so assuming the distance is D, their speeds are D divided by 4 and D divided by 3.5. Let them meet T hours after 7.30 a.m., so the first train travels for T hours and the second travels for (T minus 2) hours since it leaves at 9.30 a.m. The sum of the distances they cover must equal D, giving the equation (D divided by 4) multiplied by T plus (D divided by 3.5) multiplied by (T minus 2) equals D. Solving this equation yields T equal to 56 divided by 23, which is about 2.434 hours, meaning the meeting time is approximately 10.26 a.m.