3 Time, Speed, and Distance

Introduction Hence, if we want to convert a speed

given in m/s to km/hr, we have to multi-
The concept of time, speed, and distance
18
forms the major chunk of arithmetic. Two to ply with .
three questions are asked on this topic in 5
CAT and other management entrance exams 2. For example, if a car is moving at 45 m/s,
every year. then find its speed in km/hr.
18

Speed =
Distance d  45 km/hr 
5

 45 
18
 162 km/hr
5
Time  t 
Distance = Speed × Time Concept 1: Average Speed

Time =
 
Distance d Average speed is the average or mean value
of the speed of a body over a period of time.
Time  t 
The formula for the average speed becomes
Units of Speed necessary because the speed of a moving
Distance  in metres body is not constant and varies across a pe-
1. Speed = riod of time.
Time  in seconds Total distancecovered
Average speed =
If the distance is measured in meters Total time taken
and time is measured in seconds, then Case 1:
the unit of speed will be in m/s.
Distance → km
2. Speed =
Time → hr
If the distance is measured in kilometres
and time is measured in hours, then the
unit of speed will be km/hr.
1 km = 1,000 m.

Conversion
1km 1, 000m 5
1. 1 km/hr =   m/s
1hour 60  60 sec 18 Let us suppose a person is going from point
If the unit of km/hr has to be converted P to Q with the speed of x km/hr and returns
to m/s, we have to multiply it with 5/18. from point Q to P with the speed of y km/hr.
5
Then we have to find the average speed of

5
18 his whole journey.
72 km/hr  72 
 20m/s
18 We know that
Hence, the speed of car is 20 m/s. Total distancecovered
Average speed = .
1 Total time taken
1, 000 36 18 Since total distance from P to Q and Q to P
1 m/s =    3.6km / hr = D + D = 2D.
1 10 5
D

60  60  Time taken from P to Q, (t1) =
x

Time, Speed, and Distance 59

 D
Again, time taken from Q to P, (t2) =
y
2D 2xy
Average speed = =
D D  x+y
x  y
 
Note: Average speed is the harmonic mean
of the given two speeds whenever a person
covers the same distance twice with differ-
ent speeds.
2xy
Harmonic mean =
x+y
Case 2: Distance covered by the first person
When three equal distances are covered with (D) = S1 × t1 ….(i)
three different speeds of x km/hr, y km/hr, Distance covered by the second person
and z km/hr, then the average speed of the (D) = S2 × t2 ….(ii)
3xyz Since distance is the same in both cases,
whole journey =
xy + yz + zx therefore, D = S1 × t1 = S2 × t2
Example 1: S1 t1
=
Find the approximate average speed, when S2 t2
a person travels the first 20 km at 5 km/hr 1
and next 40 km at 10 km/hr and a further 60 Speed ∝
Time
km at 30 km/hr, respectively.
Hence, if distance remains constant, speed
(A) 12 km/hr (B) 18 km/hr becomes inversely proportional to time.
(C) 36 km/hr (D) 9 km/hr Example 2:
Solution: (A) Manish wants to go from Bangalore to
Total distance Mysore. The distance between the two cit-
Average speed =
Total time taken ies is 192 km. If he decreases his speed by
20 40 60 120 120 8 kmph, then he would take 16 hours more
  
20 40 60 4  4  2 10 than the time required if he had travelled at
    150% of his usual speed. What is the time
5 10 30
Average speed = 12 km/hr taken (in hours) to travel between the two
cities at the usual speed?
Concept 2: When Distance Remains Solution: 12
Constant Let the usual speed = s kmph
Distance So, in the first case, he travels at speed (s - 8)
Speed =
Time kmph, and in the second case he travels at
Speed is inversely proportional to the time speed 1.5s kmph.
whenever the distance is constant. According to the question
When two persons start moving from city A, 192 192
  16
towards city B, which is at a distance D km, s  8 1.5s
with different speeds of S1 and S2 and time s2 – 12s – 64 = 0
taken by them is t1 and t2, respectively, to or, s2 – 16s + 4s – 64 = 0
reach from city A to city B.
or, s(s – 16) + 4 (s – 16) = 0

60 Time, Speed, and Distance

or, (s + 4) (s – 16) = 0 If speed remains constant, then the distance
i.e. s = 16 kmph ratio becomes equal to the time ratio or dis-
tance is directly proportional to the time.
Time taken = 192/16 = 12 hours.
Concept 5: Relative Speed
Concept 3: When Time Remains
Constant When two bodies are moving simultaneously
with speeds S1 and S2, the speed of any ob-
Distance is directly proportional to speed
ject or body, when observed from the oth-
when time is the same.
er object’s perspective, is called the relative
For example, speed. Here assume S1 > S2.
One train starts from Delhi at 9:00 am at y When two objects are moving in the same
speed S1 towards Lucknow and at the same direction, relative speed = S1 – S2.
time another train starts from Lucknow with y When two objects are moving in the op-
speed S2 towards Delhi. Both the trains met posite direction, relative speed = S1 + S2.
after t hours at Meerut. Note: Relative speed is usually considered
when one has to find the time taken to meet
or catch (between two objects), and it can
be found as follows:
Time is taken to meet/catch
Initial distance separating them
=
Relative speed (S1 ±S2 )
Opposite direction
Distance between Delhi to Meerut
(D1) = S1 × t…(i)
Distance between Lucknow to Meerut
(D2) = S2 × t…(ii)
If we divide equation (i) by (ii), we get
D1  S1  t
D2  S2  t
Relative speed = (S1 + S2) km/hr
D1 S
 1 Same direction
D2 S2
Therefore, distance µ Speed (if time remains
constant).

Concept 4: When Speed Remains

Constant
D1 = S × t1…(i)
D2 = S × t2…(ii) Relative speed = (S1 – S2) km/hr

Dividing equations (i) ÷ (ii), we get Concept 6: Meeting Concept

D1 S  t1
 Let’s assume that P1 and P2 are two persons
D2 S  t2
who start from city A and city B, respective-
D1 t1 ly, at the same time, with speeds of S1 km/
=
D2 t2 hr and S2 km/hr, towards their destination of
city B and city A, respectively. After t hours,

Time, Speed, and Distance 61

 they meet each other at city C. After meet- Total distance between cities A and B
ing, they take t1 and t2 hours, respectively, to Total distance = AC + BC
reach their destination.
D = S2 × t2 + S1 × t1
Example 3:
Two trains, Lucknow Mail and Delhi
Express, start at the same time from sta-
tions Lucknow and Delhi, respectively, to-
wards each other. After passing each other,
they take 8 hours 32 minutes and 14 hours
Since we know that time is constant, the 42 minutes to reach Delhi and Lucknow,
distance ratio always equals the speed ratio. respectively. If Lucknow Mail is moving at
the speed of 105 km/hr, what is the speed
AC S1
= of the Delhi Express?
BC S2
(A) 80 km/hr
Now, distance AC is travelled by P2 in t2 hours
with speed S2 and distance BC is travelled (B) 90 km/hr
by P1 in t1 hours with speed S1. So, AC = S2 × t2 (C) 45 km/hr
and BC = S1 × t1 (D) 70 km/hr
S2  t2 S1
 Solution: (A)
S1  t1 S2

S12 t2

S2 2
t1

S1 t2

S2 t1 Since t1 = 8 hr 32 min = 8 × 60 + 32 = 480 + 32
After how much time (t) they meet in the = 512 minutes
above concept? t2 = 14 hr 42 min = 14 × 60 + 42 = 840 + 42
Now, distance AC is travelled by P2 in t2 with = 882 minutes
speed S2, and the same distance is covered SL T2
by P1 in t hours with speed S1 =
SD T1
So, distance AC = S2 × t2 = S1 × t
105 882
S t =
t 2 2 S 512
S1
105 441
S1 t2 =
Use, = in the above equation SD 256
S2 t1 105 21
=
S2  t2 t1 SD 16
t  × t2
S1 t2 SD = 80 km/hr
t = t1t2 Therefore, the speed of Delhi Express is
80 km/hr.
By this formula, we can find the meeting
time if t1 and t2 (time taken by both the per-
son after crossing each other to reach their
destination) is given in the question.

62 Time, Speed, and Distance

Concept 7: Trains y Time taken by train to cross the bridge/
L + LB
Case 1: platform = T
ST
When a train passes a pole or a stationary man
Case 3:
Scenario 1
When a train passes a moving man

(a) When a train starts crossing (b) When a train fully crrosed
a pole of length Lp. the pole.

In this case, the total distance travelled by

train = LT + LP y Total distance travelled by train while
Since LP is negligible in comparison to the crossing a moving man (D) = LT + LM
length of the train. y Since LM = 0, then, D = LT
Hence, LP = 0, which we are considering.
Total distance travelled by train = D = LP + LT
= 0 + LT = LT
Therefore, in this case, when a train passes a \ Time is taken by train to cross a moving
pole or a man, the length of the pole or man is LT
negligible compared to the length of the train. man =
Relative speed
\ LP = 0, LM = 0 (LM ® Length of the man, Scenario 2
LP ® Length of the pole). In the opposite direction
Hence, the train will cover its own length.
Time taken by the train to cross the pole:
L

t  T
ST
Case 2:
When a train crosses a bridge or a platform
or a tunnel y Total distance travelled by train while
crossing a moving man in the opposite
direction (D) = LT + LM. Since, LM = 0, D = LT
y Time taken by train to cross a moving man
LT
in the opposite direction (t) =
ST + SM
ST + SM ® Relative speed
Case 4:
Scenario 1
When a train passes another train

y Total distance covered by the train while

crossing a platform or bridge or tunnel
= (D) = LT (length of train) + LB (length of
bridge).

Time, Speed, and Distance 63

 If S1 > S2 Scenario 2
y Total distance travelled by the faster train In the opposite direction
to cross the slower train
(D) = Length of the faster train + Length of
the slower train
D = L1 + L2
y Time taken by the faster train to cross the
L  L2
slower train (t) = 1 y Total distance covered by the faster train
S1  S2
to cross a man sitting in a slower train
Scenario 2 = L1 + LM (LM = 0)
In the opposite direction
D = L1
y Time taken to cross the man sitting in
slower train by faster train
L1
(t) =
S1 + S2
Since relative speed (RS) = S1 + S2
Example 4:
A train with a speed of 108 km/hr crosses
The relative speed of the train when they are a 1,000 m long platform in 40 sec. Find the
moving in opposite directions = S1 + S2. length of the train.
L  L2 (A) 200 m (B) 400 m
Time taken to cross each other (t) = 1
S1  S2
(C) 300 m (D) 250 m
Case 5:
Scenario 1 Solution: (A)
When a train passes a man sitting in another Speed of the train = 108 km/hr
moving train 5
Speed of the train in m/s = 108   30
18
= 30 m/s.
LT + LP
Time taken to cross the platform (t) =
ST
1, 000  LT
40  
30
If S1 > S2 \ Length of the train is 200 m.
Relative speed (RS) = S1 – S2 Example 5:
Total distance travelled by the faster train to Two trains, A and B, started from two sta-
cross a man sitting in the slower train tions, P and Q, at 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., respec-
D = L1 + LM (LM = 0) tively, moving towards each other’s starting
point. They meet at station R at 1 p.m. on the
D = L1
same day. After the two trains meet, train A
Since the faster train is crossing a man sit- reaches Q and train B reaches P simultane-
ting in a slower train, we have to neglect the ously. If the distance between the two sta-
length or thickness of the man. tions is 800 km, then at what time did train
Note: In this case, the length of the slower A reach station Q?
train will not come into consideration.
(A) 5 p.m. (B) 7 p.m.
L1
Time taken (t) = (C) 9 p.m. (D) Data insufficient
S1 − S2

64 Time, Speed, and Distance

Solution: (B) effective speed is known as downstream
Let’s assume the speed of train A = x km/hr speed. It is denoted by D.
and train B = y km/hr, respectively.

Distance travelled by train A till 1 p.m.

= (x × 9) km. Downstream speed = Speed of boat + Speed
Distance travelled by train Q till 1 p.m. of current or river
= (4 × y) km. D=u+v
Now according to the question, after the Upstream speed (U)
trains meet after some time (let’s assume T hrs)
If the boat or man is rowing in the opposite
to reach their respective distance.
direction in which the river is flowing, then
Distance QR Distance PR
this effective speed is known as upstream
Distance by train A Distanc ce by train B
T   speed. It is denoted by U.
Speed of train A Speed of train B
Upstream speed = U = u – v (only if u > v)
4 y 9x x2 4 D+U
T    2  Speed of boat (u) = and Speed of
x y y 9 2
x 2 D −U
  Current (v) =
y 3 2
Example 6:
Take x = 2k and y = 3k
A boat takes 2 hours less time to travel 240
So, time taken by train A to reach Q from R.
km downstream than to travel the same dis-
4 y 4  3k
T    6 hr. tance upstream. If the speed of the stream
x 2k is 20 km/hr, then find the speed of the boat.
Train A will reach Q at 7 p.m.
(A) 10.56 km/hr
Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.
(B) 20 5 km / hr
Concept 8: Boats and Streams (C) 20 13 km / hr
(D) 5 3 km / hr
Solution: (C)
Let the speed of the boat is u km/hr.
Speed of stream = 20 km/hr (given).
Therefore, downstream speed (Ds) = (u + 20)
km/hr.
u = Speed of boat or man in still water. Upstream speed (U) = (U – 20) km/hr
v = Speed of current or river. Now, according to questions:
Downstream speed (D)
If a boat or man is rowing in the same direc-
tion in which the river is flowing, then this

Time, Speed, and Distance 65

 2. If Rohan is coming down on the moving
40 × 120 = U – 400
2
up escalator, then effective speed = (a – k)
U2 = 4,800 + 400 steps/sec.

U2 = 5,200
U = 5, 200
 10 52
 20 13
Speed is not considered negative.
Therefore, speed of the boat (U) = 20 13 km/hr.

Concept 9: Escalators
The concept of escalators is similar to the
concept of boats and streams. In escala-
tors-based questions 3. If Rohan does not have his own speed
(he just stands on the moving up escala-
Distance travelled = Number of steps visible
tor), then the time taken by him to reach
on the escalator
the first floor from the ground floor
Speed = steps/sec
= Total steps on the escalator/Speed of
Let’s assume that an escalator is moving up the escalator = (D/k) sec.
from the ground floor to the first floor in a
4. If Rohan is climbing up (with the speed
shopping mall. The speed of the escalator
of a steps/sec) on the moving up the es-
is k steps/sec. Also, assume the total num-
calator, then time taken by him to reach
ber of steps of the escalator is D. A person
the first floor from the ground floor
named Rohan is using the same escalator to
move up and get down. Rohan’s speed is a = Total steps on the escalator/effective
steps/sec. speed = D/(a + k) sec.
1. If Rohan is climbing up on the moving up 5. If Rohan is coming down (with the speed
escalator, then effective speed = (a + k) of a steps/sec) on the moving up escala-
steps/sec. tor, then time taken by him to reach the
first floor from the ground floor
= Total steps on the escalator/effective
speed = D/(a – k) sec.

66 Time, Speed, and Distance

Example 7:
Let’s assume that an escalator moves up
from the ground floor to the first floor in a
shopping mall. Speed of the escalator is 1
step/sec. Also, assume the total number of
So, in this race, P has to run 1,000 m and Q
steps of the escalator is 120. A person named
has to run only 900 m.
Rohan is using the same escalator to move
up and get down. Rohan speed is 3 steps/sec. Head start in time
1. If Rohan is climbing up on the moving up Suppose two points are given X and Y, and
escalator, then effective speed = (3 + 1) the distance between them is 1 km. There
steps/sec. are two people, P and Q, where P is a faster
runner, and he gives a head start of 10 sec-
2. If Rohan is coming down on the moving
onds to Q.
up escalator, then effective speed = (3 – 1)
steps/sec.
3. If Rohan does not have his own speed
(he just stands on the moving up escala-
tor), then the time taken by him to reach
the first floor from the ground floor. Head start distance = 10 sec × Speed of Q.
= Total steps on the escalator/Speed of So, if the race ended in a dead heat, then Q
the escalator = (120/1) = 120 sec. has to run for t seconds and P has to run for
4. If Rohan is climbing up (with the speed (t − 10) sec.
of a steps/sec) on the moving up escala- Q ® t sec
tor, then time taken by him to reach the P ® (t − 10) sec
first floor from the ground floor
Hence, both runs for the same distance.
= Total steps on the escalator/effective
speed = 120/(3 + 1) = 30 sec Therefore, distance XY = Speed of P × (t – 10)
= Speed of Q × t.
5. If Rohan is coming down (with the speed
of a steps/sec) on the moving up escala- Beat Time and Beat Distance:
tor, then the time taken by him to reach Beat in time
the first floor from the ground floor. Suppose two points M and N are 1 km apart.
= Total steps on the escalator/effective The two runners A and B are such that A is
speed = 120/(3 – 1) = 60 sec. the faster runner. Suppose A reaches point N
10 seconds before B reaches point N. So, we
Concept 10: Linear Races can say that A has beaten B by 10 seconds.
We have to find the distance between A and
Terminology
B while B is at O point and A is at N point.
y Dead heat
When the runners reach the finishing line
or end point simultaneously.
y Head start
Head start in distance
If there is a race of 1 km between P and Q, and
P has given a head start of 100 m to Q, then So, that distance between O and N will be
known as ‘beat distance’.
Beat distance = 10 seconds × speed of B

Time, Speed, and Distance 67

 Therefore, time taken by A to complete the Solution: (B)
race is 10 seconds less than the time taken When A covers 1,520 m, B will cover 1,330
by B to complete the race. (1,520 – 190) m at the same time, so the ra-
Let B ® t sec tio of their speeds = ratio of the distances
travelled = 1,520 : 1,330 = 8 : 7.
\ A ® (t – 10) sec
When B covers 1750 m, C will cover 1,500 m
Now the equation can be formed as:
(1,750 – 250) at the same time, so the ratio
Total distance = t × speed of B = (t-10) × speed of their speeds = ratio of the distances trav-
of A elled = 1,750 : 1500 = 7 : 6.
Beat by distance So, the ratio of speeds of A, B, and C = 8 : 7 : 6.
Now, when A will cover 8 m, C will cover 6 m
at the same time.
So, when A will cover 1,280 (8 × 160) m, C will
cover 960 (6 × 160) m.
Hence, in a race of 1,280 m, A will beat C by
In this case, A beats B by 10 m distance. So, 320 m.
here the beat distance is 10 m. Example 9:
® Beat distance = 10 m In a 400 m race, Ussain Bolt beats Kipchoge
Since they are running for the same time. by 8 m and Kipchoge beats Justin Gatlin by
20 m. What head start should be given to
A runs 1,000 m distance in the same time
Justin by Ussain Bolt in a 200 m race, so
when B runs only 990 m distance.
that they finish the race at the same time?
Therefore
(A) 15.2 m (B) 14.4 m
A ® 1,000 m
(C) 13.8 m (D) 17 m
B ® (1,000 − 10) m = 990 m
Solution: (C)
Time is the same for both the runners; hence
Know that ratio of distance = Ratio of speed
1, 000m 990m

time t  
Speed A

Speed of B
(t = constant)
Distance covered by Bolt 400 50
Speed ofA 1, 000m = =
 = Distance covered by Kipchoge 392 49
Speed of B 990m
Distance covered by Kipchoge 400 20
Thus, whenever the time is constant, the ra- Also, = =
Distance covered by Justin 380 19
tio of the speeds = ratio of the respective
distances covered by runners. Therefore, the ratio between Bolt and Justin
Example 8: can be expressed as:
Distance covered by Bolt 50 20 1, 000
In a race of 1,520 m, A beats B by 190 m. In   
another race of 1,750 m, B beats C by 250 m. Distance covered by Justin 49 19 931
By what distance A will beat C in a race of Since we need to find the relation for 200 m
1,280 m? (Assume that the speed of a runner race, we can do it by dividing the nominator
does not change in different races.) and the denominator by 5:
(A) 300 m (B) 320 m  1, 000 
 
Distance covered by Bolt  5  200
(C) 360 m (D) 380 m  
Distance covered by Justin  931  186.2
 
 5 

68 Time, Speed, and Distance

Now, when Bolt covers 200 m, Justin covers Time taken to meet for the first time at the
186.2 m. starting point = LCM (72, 120) = 360 sec.
Therefore, Bolt should give a head start of Time taken to meet for the second time at
= 200 – 186.2 = 13.8 m the starting point = (360 × 2) sec.
Hence, option (C) is the correct answer. Time taken to meet for the Nth time at the
starting point = (360 × N) sec.
Concept 11: Circular Races Case 1b:
Case 1a: When will the three or more runners meet at
When will the two runners meet at the the starting point for the first time?
starting point for the first time? Let’s assume that 3 runners A, B, and C are
Let’s assume that two runners A and B are running around a circular track of length
running around a circular track of length L L metres with speeds of a m/s, b m/s, and
metres with speeds of a m/s and b m/s, c m/s, respectively.
respectively. So, the time taken by A, B, and C to com-
plete one round of the track will be (L/a)
sec, (L/b) sec, and (L/c) sec, respectively.
Time taken to meet for the 1st time at the
starting point = LCM (L/a, L/b, L/c).
Similarly, when N runners A, B, C, D, …,
N are running around a circular track of length
L metres with speeds of a m/s, b m/s, and
c m/s, d m/s, …, n m/s, respectively.
Time taken to meet for the 1st time at the
Time taken to complete one round of track starting point = LCM (L/a, L/b, L/c. L/d,…, L/n).
= Length of the track/Speed of the runner.
Case 2a:
So, the time taken by A and B to complete
When the two runners will meet for the first
one round of the track will be (L/a) sec and
time on the circular track (not necessarily at
(L/b) sec, respectively.
the starting point)?
Time taken to meet for the 1st time at the
starting point = LCM (L/a, L/b).
Note: Time taken to meet at starting point
does not depend on the runners’ direction.
It will be the same whether the runners are
running in the same direction or the oppo-
site direction.
Example 10:
If two runners A and B are running around a
circular track (in the same or opposite direc-
Let’s assume that two runners A and B are
tion) of length 720 m with speeds of 10 m/s
running around a circular track of length
and 6 m/s, respectively, then
L metres with speeds of a m/s and b m/s,
Time taken by A to complete one round respectively. (Assume a > b)
(to reach the starting point) = 720/10 = 72 sec.
Time taken to meet for the 1st time on the
Time taken by B to complete one round track = Length of the track/relative speed
(to reach the starting point) = 720/6 = 120 sec.

Time, Speed, and Distance 69

 y When they are moving in the same direc-
tion, time taken = L/(a – b).
y When they are moving in opposite direc-
tions, time taken = L/(a + b).
Example 11:
If two runners A and B are running around a
circular track of length 720 m with speeds
of 10 m/s and 6 m/s, respectively, then time
taken to meet for the 1st time on track (same
direction) = 720/(10 – 6) = 180 sec.
Time taken to meet for the second time on
track (same direction) = (180 × 2) sec.
Time taken by A and B to meet for the 1st
Time taken to meet for the Nth time on track time on track = L/relative speed = 720/(10 – 8)
(same direction) = (180 × N) sec. = 360 sec.
Time taken to meet for the 1st time on track Time taken by A and C to meet for the 1st
(opposite direction) = 720/(10 + 6) = 45 sec. time on track = L/relative speed = 720/(10 – 6)
Time taken to meet for the 2nd time on track = 180 sec.
(opposite direction) = (45 × 2) sec. Time taken by B and C to meet for the 1st
Time taken to meet for the Nth time on track time on track = L/relative speed = 720/(8 – 6)
(opposite direction) = (45 × N) sec. = 360 sec.
Case 2b: Time taken to meet for the first time on track
When the three runners will meet for the first = LCM (360, 360) or LCM (360, 180) or LCM
time on the circular track (not necessarily at (120, 360) = 360 sec.
the starting point)? Example 13:
Let’s assume that three runners, A, B, and C, If three runners, A, B, and C, are running (A and
are running around a circular track of length B are running in the clockwise direction while
L meters with speeds of a m/s, b m/s, and C is running in the anticlockwise direction)
c m/s, respectively. around a circular track of length 720 m with
Time taken to meet for the first time on speeds of 10 m/s, 8 m/s, and 6 m/s, respec-
track = LCM (time taken by any two pairs). tively, then
Time taken to meet for the first time on track
= LCM (time taken by A and B, time taken by
B and C) or LCM (time taken by A and B, time
taken by A and C) or LCM (time taken by A and
C, time taken by B and C).
Example 12:
If three runners, A, B, and C, are running
(all in the same direction) around a circular
track of length 720 m with speeds of 10 m/s,
8 m/s, and 6 m/s, respectively, then

Time taken by A and B to meet for the 1st

time on track = L/relative speed = 720/(10 – 8)
= 360 sec.

70 Time, Speed, and Distance

Time taken by A and C to meet for the 1st Time taken to meet for the 1st time on track
time on track = L/relative speed = 720/(10 + 6) = 720/(10 + 6) = 45 sec.
= 45 sec. Number of distinct meeting points = 360/45
Time taken by B and C to meet for the 1st = 8.
time on track = L/relative speed = 720/(8 + 6) Important short-cut
= (360/7) sec.
If 2 runners are running on a circular track
Time taken to meet for the 1st time on track with speeds in the ratio P : Q ( P > Q), then
= LCM (360, 45) or LCM (360, 360/7) or LCM Number of distinct meeting points (in the
(45, 360/7) = 360 sec. same direction) = P – Q
Case 3: Number of distinct meeting points (in the
At how many distinct points on the track will opposite direction) = P + Q
the two runners meet? In our examples of two runners, A and B are
Number of distinct meeting points = Time running around a circular track of length 720
taken to meet for the first time at the start- m with speeds of 10 m/s and 6 m/s, respec-
ing point/Time taken to meet for first time tively, the ratio of speeds = 10 : 6 = 5 : 3.
on the track Number of distinct meeting points (in the
Example 14: same direction) = 5 – 3 = 2.
If two runners A and B are running (in the Number of distinct meeting points (in the
same direction) around a circular track of opposite direction) = 5 + 3 = 8.
length 720 m with speeds of 10 m/s and Example 16:
6 m/s, respectively, then time taken by A to
Anand, Bakshi, Rakesh, and Omprakash are
complete one round(to reach the starting
four friends running along a circular path.
point) = 720/10 = 72 sec.
Anand and Omprakash are running in the
Time taken by B to complete one round anticlockwise direction, while Bakshi and
(to reach the starting point) = 720/6 = 120 sec. Rakesh are running in the clockwise direc-
Time taken to meet for the 1st time at the tion. If the ratio of speeds of Anand, Bakshi,
starting point = LCM (72, 120) = 360 sec. Rakesh, and Omprakash is 1 : 3 : 7 : 13, then
Time taken to meet for the 1st time on track find at how many distinct points will Anand
= 720/(10 – 6) = 180 sec. meet with any other runner, if they are run-
ning indefinitely.
Number of distinct meeting points = 360/180
= 2. (A) 24 (B) 18

Example 15: (C) 16 (D) 15

If two runners A and B are running (in op- Solution: (C)

posite directions) around a circular track Speed = ↑A: ¯B: ¯R: ↑O
of length 720 m with speeds of 10 m/s and   1:   3:   7:   13
6 m/s, respectively, then time taken by A to
Since we know that two persons have their
complete one round (to reach the starting
speeds in the ratio a : b :
point) = 720/10 = 72 sec.
y If travel in the opposite direction = They
Time taken by B to complete one round
meet at total (a + b) distinct points
(to reach the starting point) = 720/6 = 120 sec.
y If travel in the same direction = They will
Time taken to meet for the 1st time at the meet at total |a – b| distinct points
starting point = LCM (72, 120) = 360 sec. 3L 2L L

A  B 4 points ,
4 4 4
,

Time, Speed, and Distance 71

 At 8 o’clock, you can see that the gap be-

A  R 8 points  78L , 68L , 58L 48L 38L , 28L 8L
tween the hands of the clock is 20 minutes
(or 40 minutes), so the angle between the
11L 10L 9L 8L 7L 6L 5L 4L 3L 2L L
 
A  O 12 points  L, , , , , , hands
, , of the
, clock
12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
, , will be (20 × 6)° = 120° or
(40 × 6)° = 240°.
10L 9L 8L 7L 6L 5L 4L 3L 2L L
, , , , , , , , , ,
12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
Total points = 16 points
Hence, option (C) is the correct answer.

Concept 12: Clocks

(At any point in time, two angles exist be-
tween the hands of the clock. For exam-
ple, at 8 pm the angle between the hands
of the clock is either 120° or (360 - 120)°
= 240°, but in order to simplify the expla-
nation, we generally use angles that are
less than 180°).
Speed of Clock’s Hands
The clock’s dial is a complete circle having a
total angle of 360° around the centre of the
clock. The dial is divided into 60 equal divi-
sions (minutes as we usually say).
Now, 60 minutes of the dial represents 360°.
So, 1 minute of the dial will represent 6°,
As you can see in the above images that in
which means 1-minute gap between the
1 hr time period (60 minutes) from 12 o’clock
hands of the clock will represent an angle of
to 1 o’clock, the minute hand completes one
6° between them.
full circle (360°), while the hour hand moves
N minutes gap between the hands of the from 12 to 1.
clock = angle of (N × 6) ° between the hands
So, the minute hand moves 360° in 60 min-
of the clock.
utes. Thus, its speed is 6° per minute.
Let’s understand this with the help of some
The hour hand moves 5 minutes or (5 × 6)°
examples.
= 30° in 60 minutes. Thus, its speed is 0.5°
At 5 o’clock, you can see that the gap be- per minute.
tween the hands of the clock is 25 minutes
As both hands always move in the same di-
(or 35 minutes), so the angle between the
rection (clockwise direction).
hands of the clock will be (25 × 6)° = 150° or
(35 × 6)° = 210°. The relative speed = 6 – 0.5 = 5.5° per minute.
Example 17:
Find the angle between the hands of the
clock at 4:40 p.m.

72 Time, Speed, and Distance

Solution: 100° Example 19:
At what time between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. will
the hands of the clock coincide with each
other?
Solution: 4 240/11 min

At 4 p.m., the gap between the hands of the

clock is 20 minutes. So, the angle between
the hands of the clock at 4 p.m. = 20 × 6 = 120°
Now from 4 to 4:40 (duration of 40 minutes)
The minute hand moves 40 × 6 = 240° clock-
wise and the hour hand moves 40 × (0.5) = 20°
As you can see in the image, at 4 p.m., the
clockwise, as shown in the figure above.
gap between the hands of the clock is 20
So, the angle between the hands of the clock minutes, which means the angle between the
at 4:40 pm is 100°. hands of the clock will be (20 × 6)° = 120°.
Example 18: Now, as the clock starts from 4 p.m., the an-
Find the angle between the hands of the gle will start reducing (from 120°) every min-
clock at 11:20 a.m. ute until it becomes zero (coincides).
Solution: 140° Time taken for angle to reduce from 120°
to 0° = Distance/relative speed = 120/(5.5)
= 240/11 minutes
Thus, 240/11 minutes past 4 p.m., the hands
of the clock will coincide with each other.
Also, after coinciding the gap between the
hands will start increasing and they will not
further coincide till 5 p.m.
Example 20:
At 11:00 a.m., the gap between the hands At what time between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. will the
of the clock is 5 minutes. So, the angle be- hands of the clock coincide with each other?
tween the hands of the clock at 11:00 a.m.
Solution: 7 420/11 minutes
= 5 × 6 = 30°.
Now from 11:00 am to 11: 20 am (duration of
20 minutes).
The minute hand moves 20 × 6 = 120° clock-
wise and the hour hand moves 20 × (0.5) = 10°
as shown in the figure above.
So, the angle between the hands of the clock
at 11:20 p.m. is 140°.

Time, Speed, and Distance 73

 As you can see in the image above, at 7 p.m., and we need to find the time at which the
the gap between the hands of the clock is angle becomes 180°.
25 minutes, which means the angle between Time taken for angle to increase from 0° to
the hands of the clock will be (25 × 6)° = 150°. 180° = Distance/relative speed = 180/(5.5)
Now as the clock starts from 7 p.m., the angle = 360/11 minutes.
will start increasing (from 150°) every minute Total time = 240/11 + 360/11 = 600/11 minutes.
and we need to find the time at which the
So, 600/11 minutes past 4 p.m., the hands of
angle becomes 360° (or 0°).
the clock will be opposite to each other other.
Time taken for angle to increase from 150°
Example 22:
to 360° = Distance/relative speed = 210/(5.5)
= 420/11 minutes. At what time between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. will
the hands of the clock be opposite (angle of
Thus, 420/11 minutes past 7 p.m., the hands
180°) to each other?
of the clock will coincide with each other.
Solution: 4 600/11 minutes
Note: Hands of the clock coincide once every
hour in general, but they coincide 11 times in
12 hours. As between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (2
hours duration), there is only one coincide
at noon and there will be 10 coincides in the
remaining 10 hours.
Example 21:
At what time between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. will
the hands of the clock are opposite (angle of
180°) to each other?.
As you can see in the image above, at 7 p.m.,
Solution: 4 600/11 minutes
the gap between the hands of the clock is
25 minutes, which means the angle between
the hands of the clock will be (25 × 6) ° = 150°.
As the clock starts from 7 p.m., the angle
will start increasing (from 150°) every minute
until it becomes 180°.
Time taken for angle to increase from 150°
to 180° = Distance/relative speed = 30/(5.5)
As you can see in the image above, at 4 pm,
= 60/11 minutes
the gap between the hands of the clock is
20 minutes, which means the angle between So, 60/11 minutes past 7 p.m. the hands of
the hands of the clock will be (20 × 6)° = 120°. the clock will be opposite each other.

Now as the clock starts from 4 pm, the Note: Hands of the clock are opposite to each
angle will start reducing (from 120°) every other at once every hour in general, but they are
minute till it becomes zero. opposite to each other at 11 times in 12 hours.
As between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. (2 hours dura-
Time taken for angle to reduce from 120°
tion) there is only one time (at 6 p.m.) at which
to 0° = Distance/relative speed = 120/(5.5)
hands of clocks are opposite to each other.
= 240/11 minutes.
Example 23:
Now after coinciding, the angle between the
hands of the clock will again start increasing At what time between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. will
the hands of the clock be at a right angle
(90° angle)?

74 Time, Speed, and Distance

Solution: 4 60/11 minutes and 4 420/11 minutes Example 24:
At what time between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. will
the hands of the clock be at a right angle
(90° angle)?
Solution: 7 240/11 minutes and 7 600/11 minutes

As you can see in the image, at 4 p.m., the

gap between the hands of the clock is 20
minutes, which means the angle between
the hands of the clock will be (20 × 6)° = 120°.
Now as the clock starts from 4 p.m., the an-
gle will start reducing (from 120°) every min-
ute, and we need to find the time at which
the angle becomes 90°.
Time taken for the angle to reduce from 120° to
As you can see in the image, at 7 p.m., the
90° = Distance/relative speed = 30/(5.5) = 60/11
gap between the hands of the clock is 25
minutes, and this will be the first right angle.
minutes, which means the angle between
Now after this right angle, the angle will the hands of the clock will be (25 × 6) ° = 150°.
further start reducing till it becomes zero
Now as the clock starts from 7 p.m., the angle
(coincide).
will start increasing (from 150°) every minute
Time taken for angle to reduce from 90° and we need to find the time at which the
to 0° = Distance/relative speed = 90/(5.5) angle becomes 270° (or 90°).
= 180/11 minutes.
Time taken for the angle to increase from
After coinciding, the angle between the 150° to 270° = Distance/relative speed = 120/
hands of the clock will again start increas- (5.5) = 240/11 minutes and this will be the
ing, and we need to find the time at which first right angle.
the angle becomes 90°.
Now after this right angle, the angle will fur-
Time taken for angle to increase from 0° ther start increasing till it becomes 360° (or 0°)
to 90° = Distance/relative speed = 90/(5.5) (coincide).
= 180/11 minutes.
Time taken for angle to increase from 270°
Total time for the second right angle = 60/11 to 360° = Distance/relative speed = 90/(5.5)
+ 180/11 + 180/11 = 420/11 minutes = 180/11 minutes
So, 420/11 minutes past 4 p.m., the second After coinciding, the angle between the
right angle will be formed. hands of the clock will again start increas-
ing, and we need to find the time at which
the angle becomes 90°.

Time, Speed, and Distance 75

 Time taken for angle to increase from 0° Let Shubham start drinking at x minutes
to 90° = Distance/relative speed = 90/(5.5) past 2 o’clock.
= 180/11 minutes. Hence, the minute hand will move = 6x°
Total time for the second right angle = 240/11 x


+ 180/11 + 180/11 = 600/11 minutes. The hour hand will move = 60   
2
So, 600/11 minutes past 7 p.m. the second
Let Shubham finish drinking y minutes past
right angle will be formed.
6 o’clock.
Note: Hands of the clock are at a right angle
Now, the hour hand will move =
twice every hour in general, but they are at a y
right angle 22 times in 12 hours. As between Also, 60° + 4 × (30)° +
2
2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (2 hours duration) there
12x = 360° + y ...(i)
are only three right angles and also between
8 p.m. and 10 p.m. (2 hours duration) there And, the minute hand will move = 6y°
are only three right angles. x
Also, 60 + = 6y
2
Example 25:
12y = 120 + x...(ii)
Shubham started drinking between 2 o’clock
Here, (1) — (2)
and 3 o’clock. When he finished drinking be-
tween 6 o’clock and 7 o’clock, he found the 12(x – y) = 240 + (y – x)
hour and the minute hands positions to be or 13(x – y) = 240
the same as those of the minute hand and 240
hour hand, respectively, when he had start- x–y= min
13
ed drinking. How long does Shubham spend Now, time spent by Shubham in drinking
in drinking?
= 4 hr – (x – y)
6
(A) 160 minutes  240 
13  240   min
7  13 
(B) 161 minutes
13  6
7  240   18  min
(C) 221 minutes  13 
13
6 7
(D) 222 minutes = 221 min
13 13
Solution: (C) Hence, option (C) is the correct answer.
We know that, in 1 minute, the minute
hand rotates 6° and the hour hand rotates
 1 
  .
2

76 Time, Speed, and Distance

 Practice Exercise – 1

Level of Difficulty – 1 5. In covering a distance of 180 km, Sonu

takes 4 hours more than Monu. If Sonu
1. A boy goes from home to school at a doubles his speed, then he would take
speed of 30 km/hr and comes back from 1 hour less than Monu to cover the same
school to home at a speed of 40 km/hr; it distance. Sonu’s speed (in km/hr) is:
took him 10.5 hours in the entire journey. (A) 36
Find the distance from home to school. (B) 30
(A) 160 km (C) 24
(B) 200 km (D) 18
(C) 180 km
(D) 185 km Level of Difficulty – 2
2. Two trains 100 m and 120 m long are
6. Chennai Express starts from Banaras on
running in the same direction with the
Monday at 7:30 a.m. and reaches Chennai
speed of 72 km/hr and 54 km/hr, respec-
on Tuesday at 3:45 a.m. While Banaras
tively. How much time will the first train
Express starts from Chennai on Monday
(100 m length) take to cross the other?
at 11:45 a.m. and reaches Banaras on
(A) 44 sec Tuesday at 2 p.m. Find at what time both
(B) 30 sec the trains crossed each other.
(C) 50 sec
(A) 07:47 p.m., Monday
(D) 20 sec
(B) 11:45 p.m., Monday
3. A boat has to travel 240 km in 8 hours, (C) 02:45 a.m., Tuesday
moving downstream. It is given that the (D) 08:47 p.m., Monday
speed of the stream is 20 km/hr. Find
7. On moving up the escalator, Anish takes
the speed of the boat.
147 steps to reach the bottom from the
(A) 10 km/hr top, while his wife Richa takes 35 steps
(B) 15 km/hr to reach the top from the bottom. If the
(C) 20 km/hr time taken by Anish and Richa is 49 sec
(D) 5 km/hr and 7 sec, respectively, then find the
4. When Pragya travels from her home at total number of steps of the escalator
16 km/hr speed, she reaches 40 min- when it is not moving.
utes late to meet her boyfriend Kaalia (A) 100
at his home. While if she travels at 20 (B) 98
km/hr speed, she reaches 20 minutes (C) 50
early. Find the distance (in km) between (D) 49
Pragya’s home and her boyfriend Kaalia’s
8. In a kilometre race, A beats B by 200
home.
m. In a 500 m race, B beats C by 50 m.
(A) 72 In a 3,600 m race, if A beats C by 56 sec,
(B) 75 how long would B take to race (in sec)
(C) 76 a distance of 1,500 m?
(D) 80
(A) 75
(B) 90
(C) 120
(D) 150

Time, Speed, and Distance 77

 9. A lady walks up an ascending escalator completed his journey, travelling (en-
at a speed of 4 steps per second and tire trip) at his initial speed, he would
reaches the top in 40 steps. If she walks  21 
have taken   times the scheduled
up the ascending escalator at a speed of 2
8 steps per second, she reaches the top time. Find the scheduled travelling time
in 60 steps. Find the number of steps on (in hours) if the total distance travelled
the stationary escalator. is 189 km.
(A) 90 steps
(B) 120 steps 13. Three athletes, Aman, Baman, and
(C) 150 steps Chaman, are running around a circu-
(D) 180 steps lar track of radius 175 m. Aman started
2 sec after Baman, but ran 1 m/s faster
10. The distance from P to Q is 120 km. Monu than Baman. Baman started 2 sec after
and Sonu start from P simultaneously Chaman, but his speed is 1 m/s faster
and move towards Q. Monu takes 4 hours than Chaman. If Aman won the race and
more than Sonu to reach B. Moreover, the speeds of Aman Baman and Chaman
the time taken by Monu to cover 80 km are positive integers, then what could be
is 1 hr less than the time taken by Sonu the maximum speed of Chaman?
to reach Q from P. What is the speed of
Monu in km/hr? 14. Two bus and truck wheels have radii of
(A) 6 km/hr 30 cm and 40 cm, respectively. While
(B) 8 km/hr traveling a certain distance, each wheel
(C) 10 km/hr of the bus required 2,000 more revolu-
(D) 12 km/hr tions than each wheel of the truck. If the
truck travelled this distance in 1 hr, then
Level of Difficulty – 3 its approximate speed in km/hr was?
 
Use   3.14
11. Anuj and Manuj are running on different
circular tracks. When Anuj completes 6 (A) 15
rounds of his track, Manuj completes 5 (B) 50
rounds of his track. If Anuj and Manuj ex- (C) 25
change their tracks, then the time taken (D) 20
by both of them to complete two rounds 15. Runners P and Q started running simul-
is the same. Find the square of the ratios taneously towards each other from the
of their speeds. two ends of the linear track LM, and the
6 ratio of their speeds is 7 : 4. Every time
(A)
5 they meet, they interchange their speeds
5 and also reverse their directions. At how
(B)
4 many distinct points on the track do they
7 meet each other if they run continuously
(C)
8 between the two ends of the track LM?
5
(D)
6
12. Rohan completes a journey in such a
way that he starts at a certain initial
speed, and then after every half an hour,
he doubles his speed and reaches his
destination at the scheduled time. If he

78 Time, Speed, and Distance

 Solutions

1. (C) 4. (D)
Let the actual time taken by Pragya to
reach her boyfriend’s house be t minutes.
We know that speed is inversely propor-
tional to time when distance is constant.
16 t  20
Therefore, ATQ, 
20 t  40
As distance is the same, the ratio of time t = 260 units
taken by him would be inverse of the ra- Now, time taken with speed 16 km/hr
tio of his speeds. = (t + 40) = (260 + 40) = 300 minutes.
Going : Returning 300
Therefore, distance = 16   80km
Ratio of speed 3 : 4 60
Ratio of time 4 : 3 Hence, option (D) is correct.
Let’s assume time taken while going from
home to school is 4K and while returning 5. (D)
back from school to home is 3K. Let’s assume the distance = D, and the
21 original speeds of Sonu and Monu be A
Total time = 7K = or K = 1.5. km/hr and B km/hr, respectively. Also as-
2
Distance = D = Speed × time = 30 × 4K sume the time taken by Monu to cover
= 30 × 4 × 1.5 = 180 km. the distance is T hr.
D = 180 = B × T = A × (T + 4) ...(i)
2. (A) Also, D = 180 = 2A × (T – 1) ...(ii)
Relative speed = (72 − 54)km/ hr= 18 km/hr From equations (i) and (ii)
Converting it into m/s; A × (T + 4) = 2A × (T – 1) solving which we
5 will get T = 6 hr.
18 km/hr = 18 × = 5m/s
18 Put the value of T in (2), we will get A
Total distance covered by the first train = 18 km/hr.
to cross the other = Length of the first Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.
train + Length of the second train = 100
+ 120 = 220 m. 6. (D)
∴ Time taken by the first train to cross Here time taken by both the trains is
220m 81
the other (t) = , t = 44 sec Chennai Express = TCE = hr
5m/s 4
3. (A) 105
Banaras Express = TBE = hr
Since downstream (DS) = Speed of boat + 4
Speed of stream = u + v For simplicity, let distance be the LCM of
Also, downstream speed time taken by trains
Distance travelled  18 105 
(DS) = Distance  LCM  , 
Time taken  4 4 

DS =
240
= 30km / hr 

LCM 81, 105  = 2835 km
8
Therefore, DS = u + v

HCF 4, 4  4
Now, the speed of Chennai Express,
30 = u + 20
Given that U = 10 km/hr 2, 835 4
SCE    35km / hr
Hence, the speed of the boat is 10 km/hr. 4 81

Time, Speed, and Distance 79

 Speed of Banaras Express, Time taken by B to travel 1500 m
2, 835 4 = 1,500/20 = 75 sec.
SBE    27 km / hr
4 105
9. (B)
Now, from 7:30 am to 11:45 am, the dis-
Let the speed of the escalator be e steps/
tance travelled by Chennai Express:
sec.
17 595
DCE = SCE × TCE  35   km Time is taken by a lady to cover 40 steps
4 4 40
Therefore, the remaining distance = 10 sec.
4
2, 835 595 2, 240 ∴ Distance covered by escalator in 10 sec
  = = 560 km
4 4 4 = 10e.
Time taken to cross each other after ∴ Total steps on the escalator = (10e + 40)
11:45 a.m. …(i)
560 560 1 Now, according to the second condition:
  9  9 hr 02 minutes
35  27 62 31 The time is taken by the lady to cover 60
(approx.) steps
Therefore, the required time is 8:47 p.m. 60
= 7.5 sec
Monday. 8
Hence, option (D) is the correct answer. ∴ Distance covered by escalator = 7.5e
Thus, the length of the escalator = (7.5e
7. (D)
+ 60) …(ii)
Let the speed of the escalator be e steps/ If we solve equations (i) and (ii), we will get:
sec. 10e + 40 = 7.5e + 60
Then, according to the question, 2.5e = 20
 Anish
  Richa

 e=8
147  49e  35  7e (Equating total Therefore, the total steps on the escala-
number of steps) tor = 10e + 40 = 120 steps.
112 = 56e Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.
E = 2 steps/sec
Therefore, total number of steps = 147 – 49 10. (B)
× 2 = 147 – 98 = 49. Let’s assume the speeds of Monu
Hence, option (D) is the correct answer. and Sonu be M km/hr and S km/hr,
respectively.
8. (A) Let’s assume the time taken by Sonu to
By the time A runs 1,000 m, B will run cover 120 km = K hr.
800 m. So, time taken by Monu to cover 120 km
Similarly, when B runs 500 m, C will run = (K + 4) hr.
450 m. 120 km = M × (K + 4) = S × K…(i)
Ratio of speeds of A and B = Ratio of dis- Also, 80 km = M × (K – 1)
tance travelled = 1,000:800 = 5:4. Or
Ratio of speeds of B and C = Ratio of dis- 120 km = 1. 5 × M × (K – 1) …(ii)
tance travelled = 5,000:450 = 10:9. From equations (i) and (ii)
So, ratio of speeds of A, B, and C M x (K + 4) = 1. 5 × M × (K – 1)
= 25:20:18. Solving which we will get K = 11 hr
Let’s assume the speed of A = 25x, speed From equation (i), 120 km = M × (K + 4)
of C = 18x, and speed of B = 20x. = M × 15
Now, (3,600/18x) – (3,600/25x) = 56 M = 8 km/hr
Solving which we will get x = 1 Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.
Speed of B = 20x = 20 × 1 = 20 m/s

80 Time, Speed, and Distance

11. (A) 12. 3
Let the radii of the Anuj’s track and Let the initial speed of Rohan be v kmph
Manuj’s track be r1 and r2. and assume he takes n hours to com-
Anuj completes 6 rounds at the same plete his journey.
time ss Manuj completes five rounds of ∴ Time taken by Rohan while travelling at
his track.  189 
Speed of Anuj 6  2 r1 his initial speed =   hours.
Therefore,   v 
Speed of Manuj 5  2 r2 By the problem,
6r  189   21 
= 1 ...(i)
5 r2   =  n
 v  2
Again, when they interchange their  18 
tracks, as given in the question that af- Þ v =   …(i)
 n
ter interchanging the track, both take the
same time to complete two rounds of According to the question, Rohan dou-

bled his speed after every  1  hour. So,

their tracks.  
SpeedofAnuj 2  2 r2 r2 2
  ...(ii)  1
SpeedofManuj 2  2 r1 r1 in n hours, there are (2n) intervals of  
2
Now, if we solve equations (i) and (ii),
an hour.
we will get
We know distance = speed × time
6r1 r2
Þ 189 = v  1  + 21 · v ·  1  + 22 · v  1 
=      
5r2 r1
2 2 2
r12 5  1
= +…+ 22n-1 · v  
r22 6 2
Þ 189 = v  1  (1 + 21 + 22 +…+ 22n-1)
r1 5  
= 2
r2 6
  2n 
r1 5 Þ 189 = v  1  2  1  (Since this is a GP
Now, if we use the value of = in 2  2  1 
r2 6
equation (ii), then we will get  n 
series whose sum = a r  1
 r  1
Speed of Anuj 6  18 
= Putting v =   is the above equation,
Speed of Manuj 5  n
But, we have to find the square of the  2n 
we get 189 = 18  2  1 
ratio of the speeds of Anuj and Manuj. 2n  1 
2
 6
(Speed of Anuj)2 6  189 
Þ  n = (2 – 1)
2n
     9 
 
 5 5
2
(Speed of Manuj)
Þ 21n = (22n – 1)
Hence, option (A) is the correct
answer.

Time, Speed, and Distance 81

 By the approach of hit and trial method, ∴ The total revolution has been taken by
we get n = 3. the wheel of the bus to cover the same
Hence, the scheduled time to reach the certain distance = (n + 2,000) revolution.
destination is 3 hours.  
Now, n  2, 000  60  n  80
13. 22 3n + 6,000 = 4n
If the speed of Chaman is n m/s, then the n = 6,000
speed of Baman will be (n + 1) m/s and Therefore, the distance travelled by the
that of Aman will be (n + 2) m/s. truck = n  2 r2
Even after starting 4 sec late w.r.t. = n 2    40 = 80  6, 000 cm
Chaman, Aman still won the race = 4, 80, 000π cm = 4, 800π m = 4.8π km
Time taken by Aman is less than time Distance travelled
∴ Speed of the truck =
taken by Chaman by more than 4 sec. Time taken
Length of track
4.8π km
22 =
 2  175  50  22  1, 100m 1hr
7
= 4.8π km/ hr = 4.8 × 3.14 km / hr 
1, 100 1, 100
Now,  4 = 15.072 km/hr ≈ 15 km / hr .
n n2 Hence, option (A) is the correct answer.
550
1
 
n n  2 15. 11
If we put n = 22 it satisfies the above in-
equality but at 23 it fails.
Thus, the maximum speed of Chaman This is similar to the case of circular mo-
can be 22 m/s. tion, where two runners are running in
the opposite direction with their speeds
14. (A) in a ratio 7 : 4.
The distance travelled by bus in one So, the number of distinct points on the
revolution track where they will meet = 7 + 4 = 11.
 2 r1 Note: If two persons are moving in the
 2  30 cm opposite direction on a circular track with
 60 cm their speeds in the ratio of A : B, then the
Also, the distance travelled by truck in number of distinct points where they will
one revolution meet on the circular track = A + B.
 2 r2
 2  40 cm
 80 cm
Let each wheel of the truck take n revo-
lutions to cover a certain distance.

82 Time, Speed, and Distance

 Practice Exercise – 2

Level of Difficulty – 1 (c) 160 m

(D) 180 m
3
1. If a man travels at of his usual speed
5 5. A and B both start walking simultane-
7 ously from the point P towards point Q.
to travel a certain distance, he takes
2 The ratio of the speeds of A and B is 13:8.
hours more than usual time. Find the After reaching Q, A starts walking back
usual time. towards P and meets B. If PQ = 840 m,
1
(A) 5 hours then find the distance of their meeting
4
point from point Q (in m).
1
(B) 4 hours (A) 200
4
1 (B) 640
(C) 5 hours (C) 760
2
1 (D) 780
(D) 4 hours
2 6. In a race of 945 m, A beats B by 105 m. In
2. The distance between Shubham’s house another race of 1,360 m B beats C by 170
and his girlfriend Nora’s house is 72 km. m. By what distance A will beat C in a race
One day he increases his speed by of 3,240 m? (Assume that the speed of a
6 km/hr from the usual speed, which re- runner does not change in different races.)
sults in taking him 2 hours less than the (A) 600 m
usual time to reach his girlfriend’s house. (B) 700 m
Find his increased speed (in m/s). (C) 720 m
(A) 8 m/s (D) 760 m
(B) 6 m/s
(C) 4 m/s 7. A running track is in the form of a regu-
(D) None of these lar pentagon. A runner covers each side
of this pentagonal track with different
3. X and Y are running on a circular track of
speeds of 8, 12, 15, 18, and 24 km/h. The
length 180 m, in the same direction at the
average speed K of the runner during the
speed of 20 m/s and 18 m/s, respectively.
entire journey (in km/hr) lies in which of
When will X and Y meet for the first time
the following range?
and at how many distinct points on the
(A) 12 < K < 13
circular track will they meet?
(B) 13 < K < 14
(A) 30 sec and 2 points
(C) 14 < K < 15
(B) 60 sec and 1 point
(D) 15 < K < 16
(C) 90 sec and 2 points
(D) 90 sec and 1 point 8. One day Ashu drove at two-thirds of his
4. Two trains cross each other in 20 sec- usual speed and reached his office 10
onds when running in the opposite direc- minutes late. The next day, he drove at
tion along parallel tracks. The faster train his usual speed for 10 minutes, but had
is 150 m long and crosses a lamp post in to stop for 5 minutes because the rail-
15 sec. If the speed of the second train is way track had been closed. By what per-
18 km/hr less than the faster train (first centage should Ashu increase his speed
train), what is its length (in m)? to reach his office on time?
(A) 140 m (A) 50%
(B) 150 m (B) 100%

Time, Speed, and Distance 83

 (C) 150% by 25% and reaches New Delhi 20 minutes
(D) 200% before her schedule. What is the ratio of
the distance between Agra to Greater
9. Ram and Lakhan both are climbing on a Noida to Greater Noida to New Delhi?
moving escalator that is going up. Ram
(A) 3:4
takes 72 steps to reach the top, but
(B) 4:3
Lakhan takes 60 steps to reach the top.
(C) 2:1
Ram can take four steps in a second,
(D) 1:2
while Lakhan can take three steps in a
second. Calculate the total number of 13. Two trains are traveling in opposite direc-
steps on the escalator. tions with speeds of 60 and 45 km/hr, re-
(A) 360 spectively. They take 15 seconds to cross
(B) 240 each other. If the two trains are travelling
(C) 180 in the same direction, then a person sit-
(D) 120 ting in the faster-moving train would have
overtaken the slower train in 40 seconds.
10. P, Q, R, and S are four friends running on Find the length of the trains (in m).
a circular track of circumference 200 km
1625 500
in the anticlockwise direction. Speeds of (A) m, m
6 3
P, Q, R, and S are 8, 12, 20, and 28 km/h,
respectively. What is the difference be- 825 125
(B) m, m
tween the total distance travelled by Q 3 3
and S, when P, Q, R, and S all togeth- 119 800
(C) m, m
er are meeting for the first time at the 3 3
starting point? 700
(D) m, 600 m
(A) 640 km 3
(B) 720 km 14. Two horses ‘a’ and ‘b’ start from a point
(C) 800 km ‘x’ on a circle simultaneously with ‘a’
(D) None of these moving in the clockwise direction and ‘b’
in the anticlockwise direction. They meet
Level of Difficulty – 2 for the first time at 4 p.m., when ‘a’ has
covered 80% of the track. If ‘a’ returns to
11. In a 900-m race, Abhishek should give ‘x’ at 4:40 p.m., then ‘b’ returns to ‘x’ at:
Mudit a head start of 55 seconds and (A) 12:20 a.m.
Mudit should give Vikas a head start of (B) 2:20 a.m.
80 seconds, for all of them to finish the (C) 3:00 a.m.
race simultaneously. What is the speed of (D) 3:20 a.m.
Abhishek if the difference between speeds
of Abhishek and Vikas is 15 m/s? 15. In a mile race, Arjun can be given a start
of 240 m by Bhisma. If Bhisma can give
(A) 15 m/s
Karna a start of 25 m in a 200-m race,
(B) 18 m/s
then who out of Arjun and Karna will win
(C) 20 m/s
a race of 7 miles and what will be the
(D) 24 m/s
final lead taken by the winner over the
12. Keerti usually takes 10 hours to ride from loser? (1 mile = 1600 m)
Agra to New Delhi. One day her car had a 3
(A) Arjun, mile
technical issue at Greater Noida, so she 10
has to stop for 20 minutes to resolve the 1
(B) Arjun, mile
issue. After that, she increases her speed 5

84 Time, Speed, and Distance

 1 19. If two trains A and B leave from their re-
(C) Karna, mile spective stations P and Q at 2 p.m. mov-
5
3 ing towards each other, they meet at 3:40
(D) Karna, mile p.m. Instead, if train B leaves station Q at
10
16. Five friends, A, B, C, D, and E, are running 2 p.m. and train A leaves station P at 2:23
on a circular track with their speeds in p.m., they meet at 4:54 p.m.. Find the ra-
the ratio 1 : 3 : 5 : 7 : 9, respectively. ‘A’, ‘C’, tio of the speeds of train B and train A.
and ‘E’ are running in an anticlockwise (A) 14 : 9
direction, while ‘B’ and ‘D’ are running in (B) 9 : 14
a clockwise direction. Find at how many (C) 5 : 8
distinct points will ‘A’ meet with any oth- (D) 8 : 5
er runner if they all run indefinitely? 20. A man is travelling from A to B in a car
(A) 8 whose tank’s capacity is 22 L, with the
(B) 10 3
(C) 12 reserve level at th of the tank capacity.
11
(D) 24 He fills up the tank and after travelling
for 192 km, finds that the fuel is at the
17. Trains P and Q travel at 180 and 144
reserve level. He fills 4 L more and just
km/hr, respectively. Points A and B are
manages to cover the remaining distance
marked on the railway track such that AB
by using up all the fuel. What is the dis-
is a straight line. Time taken by train P
tance between A and B?
to completely cross a stationary pole is
12 seconds. Time taken by trains Q and P (A) 120 km
to completely cross the line AB from the (B) 309 km
instant the front end of respective trains (C) 322 km
cross point A is 40 and 30 sec, respec- (D) 312 km
tively. What is the length of the train Q?
(A) 500 m Level of Difficulty – 3
(B) 600 m
21. Rohan can row a boat on still water at
(C) 700 m
a speed of 11 km/hr. However, it takes
(D) 800 m
him 7 hr more to row the boat 36 km
18. Ram went from Delhi to Shimla via upstream than downstream on a given
Chandigarh by car. The distance from river. One day, Rohan rows the boat on
Delhi to Chandigarh is 4/3 times the dis- the given river from P to Q, which is N
tance from Chandigarh to Shimla. The km (an integer) upstream from P, then he
average speed from Delhi to Chandigarh rows back to P immediately. If he takes
was 1.5 times that from Chandigarh at least 9 hr to complete this round trip,
to Shimla. If the average speed for the what is the minimum value of N?
entire journey was 77 km/hr, what was (A) 29
the average speed from Chandigarh to (B) 30
Shimla (in km/hr)? (C) 31
(A) 51 (D) 32
(B) 56
22. A man travels by a motorboat down the
(C) 68
river to a temple and back with the speed
(D) 72
of the river unchanged. If he doubles the
speed of the motorboat, then his total
time for the round trip gets reduced by

Time, Speed, and Distance 85

 80%. Find the ratio of the original speed moving towards their initial departure sta-
of the motorboat to the speed of the tion. The speed of the current is 5 km/hr,
river. and the flow of the current is towards
(A) 5: 3 Pune. If the distance between Bombay
and Pune is 1,680 km, then what is the
(B) 7: 3
distance of their second meeting point
(C) 6: 5 from Pune?
(D) 3: 2 (A) 848 km
(B) 872 km
23. In a 1.5-km race, Dhoni gives Hardik a (C) 832 km
head start of 150 m and beats him by (D) 880 km
25 seconds. If Dhoni gives Hardik a head
start of 40 seconds, then Hardik beats 27. A man can row a certain distance up-
Dhoni by 150 m. Find the ratio of Dhoni’s stream in 15 minutes more than he could
speed to Hardik’s speed. row in still water. Also, he can row the
(A) 7 : 4 same distance downstream in 10 min-
(B) 19 : 14 utes less than he could row it in still wa-
(C) 35 : 19 ter. How long will he take to row down
(D) 35 : 22 the same distance with the stream?
(A) 50 minutes
24. Time taken by a person to reach the first (B) 60 minutes
floor from the ground floor on a mov- (C) 40 minutes
ing up escalator is 12 seconds less than (D) 70 minutes
the time taken when the escalator is
turned off. Again, the time taken by the 28. At his usual speed, Nitin can travel 36 km
same person to reach the ground floor downstream in a river in 18 hours less
from the first floor on the same moving than what he takes to travel the same
up escalator is 48 sec more compared distance upstream. If he doubles the
to when the escalator is turned off. If speed of rowing, then he takes 2 hours
the speed of the person and escalator less time in the downstream trip than
are in the ratio 5 : 3, respectively, find by what the upstream trip would take. Find
what percentage the person should in- the speed of the stream?
crease his speed to reach the first floor 20
(A) km / hr
from the ground floor in 20 seconds on a 3
turned-off escalator. 17
(B) km / hr
(A) 80% 5
(B) 60% (C) 9.2 km/hr
(C) 40% (D) 9 km/hr
(D) 20%
29. Two trains, Amritsar Express and Bhatinda
25. In a race of x km, Rajesh beats Ankit by Express, started from Pathankot towards
25 km and Sahil by 55 km. Also, Ankit Kolkata at 10 a.m., and Bengal Kranti train
beats Sahil by 40 km. Find x. is travelling from Kolkata to Pathankot at
55 km/hr. The sum of speeds of Amritsar
26. Anand starts from Bombay in his boat express and Bhatinda express was 150
with a speed of 9 km/hr and Bimal starts km/hr. At 4 p.m., Amritsar Express met
from Pune in his boat with a speed of Bengal Kranti. Exactly after 1 hour, Bengal
11 km/hr. As soon as they reach their Kranti met Bhatinda Express. After this
destination, they will turn back and start Amritsar Express and Bhatinda Express

86 Time, Speed, and Distance

 interchanged their speeds. At what time 30. At his usual rowing rate, Rohan can travel
the Bhatinda Express will overtake the 20 km downstream in a certain river in
Amritsar express? 2 hours less than it takes him to travel
(A) 10:40 a.m. the same distance upstream. But if the
(B) 11:15 a.m. speed of the stream becomes twice and
(C) 11:40 a.m. his rowing speed remains the same, then
(D) Midnight downstream 20 km would take 6.4 hours
less than the upstream 20 km. Find the
value of Rohan’s rowing speed (in km/hr).

Time, Speed, and Distance 87

 Solutions

1. (A) speeds in the ratio A : B, (A > B), then the

3 number of distinct points where they will
When speed is of usual speed, then
5 meet on the circular track = (A – B).
5 So, in this question, speed ratio is 20 : 18
the time taken will be times the usual
3 = 10 : 9
time. Thus, they will meet at (10 – 9) = 1 point
Let usual time = t hours Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.
5 7
Therefore, t t
3 2 4. (B)
2 7 Let the faster train and slower train
 t
3 2 length be L1 m and L2 m.
21 1 L1 = 150 m is given
t   5 hours
4 4 Since the faster train crosses a lamp
Hence, option (A) is the correct answer. post in 15 sec.
\ Speed of the faster train
2. (D)
L1 150 m
Let’s assume the usual speed of = = = 10 m/s
15 sec 15
Shubham is ‘x’ km/hr and the usual time
Thus, the speed of the slower train
taken to reach his girlfriend’s house with
this speed is y hr.   5 
  10   18    m/s = 5 m/s
Now, according to the question   18  
x × y = 72 ...(i) Also, it is given in the question that the
and (x + 6) (y – 2) = 72 two trains cross each other in 20 sec.
Þ xy – 2x + 6y – 12 = 72 \ Relative speed = (S1 + S2) m/s
put xy = 72 from equation (i) = (10 + 5) m/s = 15 m/s
6y – 2x = 12 L  L2
Therefore, 1  15m/s
 72  20 sec
Þ 6   2 x  12
 x  Þ 150 + L2 = 300 m
Þ 2x2 + 12x – 432 = 0 Þ L2 = 150m
 
Þ x2 + 6x – 216 = 0
Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.
on solving, we will get x = 12 or (−18)
Therefore, the usual speed of Shubham 5. (A)
= 12 km/hr Let’s assume the speed of A = 13x m/s
Increased speed = (12 + 6) km/hr and speed of B = 8x m/s and R is the
5 point where they meet for the first time
= 18 km/hr = 18 × m/s = 5 m/s
18 after they started running.
Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.

3. (D)
Length of track = 180 m
Speed of X = 20 m/s
Speed of Y = 18 m/s
They will meet first time at = 180/(20 – 18) Let’s suppose they meet at a distance of
= 90 sec. y metres from point P.
If 2 persons are moving in the same di- Now when they meet, the time is the
rection on a circular track with their same.

88 Time, Speed, and Distance

 DA DB 8. (B)
Time = = Let Ashu’s usual speed be ‘x’ km/min and
SA SB
distance between his home and office
840 840  y y
= = be ‘d’ km and the usual time taken be ‘t’
13 x 8x
minutes.
Þ 8 x 1,680 – 8y = 13y
On the first day:
Þ 21 y = 8 x 1,680
Þ y = 640 2 3
When speed = x, time taken = t
Hence, they meet at a distance of 640 3 2
3
m from point P and (840 – 640) = 200 m Now, t  t  10
from Q. 2
Hence, option (A) is the correct answer. Þ t = 20 minutes (normal time)
Next day:
6. (C) For 10 minutes he drove at usual speed.
When A cover 945 m, B will cover (945 – 105) Distance covered in 20 minutes at usual
= 840 m at the same time, so the ra- speed x = d
tio of their speeds would be 945 : 840 Þ Distance covered in 10 minutes at
= 9 : 8. d
usual speed x =
When B cover 1,360 m, C will cover 2
(1,360 – 170) = 1,190 m at the same time, d
Distance left = to be covered in next
so the ratio of their speeds would be 2
= 1,360 : 1190 = 8 : 7. 10 minutes. But out of 10 minutes, 5
So, the ratio of speeds of A, B, and C minutes were wasted. So, time left = 5
= 9 : 8 : 7. minutes.
Now, when A will cover 9 m, C will cover At usual speed, distance covered in 5
7 m at the same time. d
minutes =
So, when A will cover (9 × 360 = 3,240) m, 4
C will cover (7 × 360 = 2,520) m d
But Ashu has to cover in 5 minutes,
Thus, in a race of 3,240 m, A will beat C 2
by 720 m. which is possible only if he doubles his
Hence, option (C) is the correct answer. speed (= 2x).
Percentage increase in speed should be
7. (B) = 100%.
Let’s assume each side of pentagonal Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.
track = LCM (8, 12, 15, 18, and 24) = 360 km
Now the time taken by runner to run 360 9. (C)
km each with the speeds 8, 12, 15, 18, and Let the speed of the escalator = y steps/
24 km/hr will be 45, 30, 24, 20, and 15 sec
hours, respectively. Ram’s speed = 4 steps/sec
Totaldistance Lakhan’s speed = 3 steps/sec
So, average speed = As Ram is taking 72 steps of his own to
Totaltime
3605 1, 800 reach to the top,
= = = 13.43 72 steps
 
45 30 24  2015 134 Time taken by Ram =
4 steps/sec
approximately.
= 18 sec
Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.
Similarly, time taken by Lakhan
60steps
= = 20 sec
3steps / sec

Time, Speed, and Distance 89

 Now distance = Total steps = s (s – 15) = 100
Therefore, S = 20 m/s.
Hence, option (C) is the correct answer.
Total steps = (4 + y) × 18 = (3 + y) × 20 12. (C)
Þ 72 + 18y = 60 + 20y 25% increase means increase of 1 unit
Þ 2y = 12 over 4 units
Þy=6 Let the usual speed = 4x km/hr
Total steps = (3 + y) × 20 = 9 × 20 = 180 Increased speed = 5x km/hr
Hence, option (C) is the correct answer. Total distance = speed × time = 4x × 10
10. (C) = 40x km.
Time taken by Keerti if she travels the
As we know that P, Q, R, and S have to
whole distance at increased speed
meet at the starting point; therefore,
Distance/Speed = 40x/5x = 8 hours
time to meet them can be given by
Now, the average time is taken by her to
t = LCM (t P, t Q, t R, t S)
cover the whole distance
 200 200 200 200  = 10 hr – 20 min – 20 min = 9 hr 20 min
 LCM  , , , 
 8 12 20 28  28
= hr


LCM 200, 200, 200, 200


200
 50 hr
3
By using the rule of allegation, we get.

HCF 8, 12, 20, 28  4
Now, total distance travelled by Q in 50
hours = 12 × 50 = 600 km.
Similarly, total distance travelled by S in
50 hours = 28 × 50 = 1,400 km.
Therefore, the required difference
= 1,400 – 600 = 800 km.
Hence, option (C) is the correct answer.

11. (C)
28
Let the speed of Abhishek be ‘s’ m/s and 8
DistancefromagratoGreaterNoida
the time taken by him to finish race be  3
DistancefromGreaterNooidatoNewDelhi 28
‘t’ seconds. 10 
3
Now, 4
2
Abhishek Mudit Vikas = 3 =
2 1
Time t t + 55 t + 135 3
Speed s s – 15 Hence, the required ratio will be 2 : 1.
Hence, option (C) is the correct answer.
Since all completed the race
s × t = 900 ...(i) 13. (A)
(s – 15) (t – 135) = 900 ...(ii) Let the length of the faster and slower
From equations (i) and (ii) trains be L1 and L2.
s × t = (s – 15) (t – 135) When the two trains are traveling in the
s × t = s × t – 15t + 135s– 15 × 135 opposite direction, they cross each other
t = 9s – 135. in 15 sec.
Putting this in equation (i):
s (9s – 135) = 900

90 Time, Speed, and Distance

 5 It is given that horse ‘a’ returns to point x
Relative speed = (S1 + S2) = (45  60)  at 4:40 pm. Therefore, horse ‘a’ has cov-
18
105 175 ered 20% of the track in 40 minutes.
= ×5 = m/s
18 6
L1  L2
Time = Distance/Speed =  15
175
6 Therefore,  
175 Horse ‘b’ covered 20% of the track when
Þ L1 + L2 = 15 × = 437.5 m
6 horse ‘a’ covered 80% of the track.
The person sitting in the faster train Thus, horse ‘b’ covers 20% of the track in
would have overtaken the slower train 160 minutes.
when the train was moving in the same
direction in 40 seconds.
Therefore, relative speed (in the same
direction) = S1 – S2 = 60 – 45 = 15 km/hr
5 75 25
= 15 × = m/s = m/s As ‘b’ had covered 20% of the track till
18 18 6
L2 the first meeting and now he has to
So, = 40 sec cover 80% of the track more to reach
25
at ‘x’, thus, horse ‘b’ will return to ‘x’ at
6
= 4:40 pm + 640 min = 3:20 a.m.
25 20  25 500
Þ L2 = 40   = m. Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.
6 3 3
500
Since, L1 + L2= 437.5, hence, L1 = 437.5 − 15. (C)
3
812.5 1625 Arjun was given a start of 240 m by
= = m Bhisma.
3 6
Hence, option (A) is the correct answer. Here time is constant.
Therefore, ratio of distance covered = ratio
14. (D) of speeds.
Bhisma 1600 20
= =
Arjun 1360 17
Similarly, when Bhisma gives a start of 25 m
to Karna, then the ratio can be given by
Bhisma 200 8
= =
Karna 175 7
Now,
Bhisma : Arjun : Karna

2×(20) : 2×(17)

5×(8) : : 5×(7)

When horses ‘a’ and ‘b’ met for the first 40 : 34 : 35

time at 4 pm, horse ‘a’ had covered 80% Let’s assume the speeds of Bhisma, Arjun,
of the whole track and horse ‘b’ had cov- and Karna be 40, 34, and 35 m/s. So, in
ered 20% of the track. 1 sec, Karna will take 1 m lead over Arjun.

Time, Speed, and Distance 91

 Now time taken by Karna to cover 7 miles AB + 600 = 50 m/s × 30 sec = 1,500 m
= (7 x 1,600)/35 = 320 sec Þ AB = 900 m
Thus in 320 sec, Karna will take a lead of Similarly, train Q completely crossed the
320 m or 1/5 mile over Arjun. line segment AB in 40 seconds, so the
Hence, option (C) is the correct answer. distance travelled by train Q to cross AB
= length of train Q + length of line seg-
16. (A) ment AB = length of train Q + 900
We should know that if two objects are 900 + length of train Q = 144 × 5/18 × 40
moving in a circular track with their Þ length of train Q = 700 m
speeds in the ratio a : b, then the num- Hence, option (C) is the correct answer.
ber of distinct points at which they meet
when they run indefinitely can be given 18. (C)
by: Let’s assume the distance between Delhi
a) When they move in the opposite direc- and Chandigarh = 4x
tion, the number of distinct points = a + b Hence, the distance between
and, b) When they move in the same di- Chandigarh and Shimla = 3x
rection, the number of distinct points =
|a – b|.
Now, in this case ‘A’ has to meet with any
other runner:
Let’s assume the speed from
 A : B   1 : 3  4 distinct points
Chandigarh to Shimla = y km/hr.
 A : C   1 : 5  4 distinct points
So, speed from Delhi to Chandigarh
 A : D   1 : 7  8 distinct points
= 1.5 y km/hr.
 A : E   1 : 9  8 distinct points
Average speed for the journey
3L* 2L* L*

A  B 4 points
 
 L* ,
4
, ,
4 4 =
Total Distance
Total Time
3L 2L L 7x

A  C 4 points
  L, ,
4 4 4
, 
4x 3x
 84

7L* 6L 5L* 4L 3L* 2L L* 1.5 y y

A  D 8points
 
 L, , , , ,
8 8 8 8 8 8 8
, ,
7 7 7
    84
7L 6L 5L 4L 3L 2L L 8 3 1 8  1 17

A  E 8points
  L,  , , ,
8 8 8 8 8 8 8
, , , 3y y
   3
y 3 

y 3
All-star (*) marked points in the above 7  3y
  84  y  68
explanation are the distinct points. 17
Hence, option (A) is the correct answer. Hence, option (C) is the correct answer.
17. (C) 19. (B)
Speed of train P = 180 km/hr = 180 × 5/18 Let speed of train A and train B be ‘a’ m/
= 50 m/s. min and ‘b’ m/min.
Train P crosses a stationery pole in 12 Since, trains are meeting at 3:40 p.m.
seconds, after they departed simultaneously at
So, length of the train P = 50 × 12 = 600 m. 2 p.m.
Now train P completely crossed the Therefore, total distance covered by
line segment AB in 30 sec, so the dis- both the trains together in 100 min = 100
tance travelled by train P to cross AB (a + b)....(i)
= length of train P + length of line seg-
ment AB

92 Time, Speed, and Distance

 If train ‘A’ leaves at 2:23 p.m., then the Þ 36(2x) = 847 – 7x2
distance covered by B in this time inter- Þ 7x2 + 72x – 847 = 0
val = 23b. Þ 7x2 + 121x – 49x – 847 = 0
Now, the total distance covered by both Þ x (x + 121) – 7(7x + 121)
the trains together in 91 min = 91 (a + b) Þ (7x + 121) (x – 7) = 0
...(ii) Þx =7
From equations (i) and (ii) Now, according to the question
Total distance = 100a + 100b = 23b + 91a N N
 9
+ 91b 11  7 11  7
Þ 9a = 14b N N
a 14 Þ  9
Þ = 18 4
b 9 2N  9N
Thus, the ratio of speed of train B to train Þ 9
36
A = 9 : 14. 11N
Hence, option (B) is the correct answer. Þ ≥9
36
20. (D) Þ 11N ≥ 324
Given: The capacity of the tank = 22 L Þ N ≥ 29.45
So, the minimum value of N = 30
3
The reserve level th of the tank capac- Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.
11
66 22. (D)
ity which is equal to L.
11 Let the initial speed of the motorboat
 66  is u km/hr and the speed of the river is
\ He travels 192 km with  22  L
 11  v km/hr and the one-way distance is d km.
192
\ The mileage of a car =
 66 
 22  
 11 
192 According to condition 1
= = 12 kmpL d d
16   t (i)
He fills 4 more litres and covers the re- uv uv
maining distance. Now according to the second condition:
\ The distance covered after refilling d d
  t  20%
 66  2u  v 2u  v
the tank =  4   × 12 d d t
 11  Þ  
2u  v 2u  v 5
= 10 × 12 = 120 km.
\ The total distance between A and B 5d 5d
Þ   t (ii)
= 192 + 120 = 312 km 2u  v 2u  v
Hence, option (D) is the correct answer. Now equating equations (i) and (ii)
d d 5d 5d
Þ   
21. (B) u  v u  v 2u  v 2u  v
Let’s assume the speed of the river 1 1 5 5
= x km/hr Þ   
u  v u  v 2u  v 2u  v
According to the questions u  v  u  v 5(2u  v  2u  v )
36 36 Þ 
 7 u2  v 2 4u2  v 2
11  x 11  x 2u 5(4u)
36( 11  x  11  x ) Þ 2 2

Þ 7 u v 4u2  v 2
121  x 2

Time, Speed, and Distance 93

 1 10  1, 500   990 
Þ 
2
u v 2
4u  v 2 2 
t1 
    40
 t2 + 40  19  1, 750
Þ 4u – v = 10u2 – 10v2
2 2 = = = =
 1, 500  t1  10 990  1, 100
Þ 6u2 = 9v2     
 t2  40   9 19 
u2 9
Þ 2 =
v 6 35
=
u 9 22
Þ = Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.
v 6
u 3 24. (B)
Þ =
v 2 Let’s assume the speed of the person
and the escalator be 5K steps/sec and
u 3
Þ = 3K steps/sec respectively, and the total
v 2 steps on the escalator be D.
Hence, option (D) is the correct answer. According to the first statement
D D
23. (D)   12
For simplicity, we can represent the in-  
5K 5K  3K
formation as follows: D D
Þ   12...(i)
5K 8K
Case I Case II
Also, according to the second
Dhoni Hardik Dhoni Hardik statement
D D
Distance 1,500 1,350 1,350 1,500   48
5K  3K  5K
Time t1 t1 + 25 t2 t2 + 40 D D
Þ   48...(ii)
2K 5K
1, 500 1, 350
Here, speed of Dhoni is = = On adding equations (ii) + (i)
t1 t2
D D
10   60
or t1 =
t 2K 8K
9 2
Also, speed of Hardik is Þ
D 41 
 60

1, 350 1, 500 8K
= 
t1  25 t2  40 Þ D = 160K
9 10 Now to cover a distance of 160 K
or  steps in 20 seconds on a turned-off
t1  25 t2  40
escalator the person’s speed must be
or 9t2 + 360 = 10t1 + 250
160K
 10  = 8K steps / sec
or 9t2 + 360 = 10   t2   250 20
 9  Person’s original speed = 5K step/sec
19 990 hence, percent increase in speed
or t2 = 110 or t2 =
9 19 3K
should be =  100  60%
Speed of Dhoni 5K
Now, ratio of speed = Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.
Speed of Hardik

94 Time, Speed, and Distance

25. 100 For the first meeting
Distance of x km is given. Anand’s downstream speed = (9 + 5)
Case 1: = 14 km/hr.
Now, when Rajesh finished all of x km, Bimal’s upstream speed = (11 – 5)
Ankit has finished (x − 25) km and Sahil = 6 km/hr.
finished only (x − 55) km. Therefore, time taken for the first meet-
1, 680
ing = = 84 hr .
20
Distance travelled by Anand = 14 × 84
= 1,176 km.
Hence, Distance travelled by Bimal
Case 2: = 1,680 – 1,176 = 504 km.
When Ankit finished × km, Sahil finished Now, time taken to reach Pune for Anand
only (x -40) km. 504
= = 36hr
14
Time taken to reach Bombay for Bimal
1, 176
= = 196hr

Ratio of speeds of Rajesh and Ankit 6
x Time difference = 196 – 36 = 160 hr

x  25 In this time period, Anand will start from
Ratio of speeds of Rajesh and Sahil Pune and travel to Bombay.
x Therefore, distance covered by Anand

x  55 = (9 – 5) × 160 = 4 × 160 = 640 km
x Now, distance between them
Ratio of speeds of Ankit and Sahil 
x  40 = 1,680 – 640 = 1,040 km.
(Ratio of speeds of Rajesh and Ankit) × For the second meeting
(Ratio of speed of Ankit and Sahil) Now, this is the moment when Bimal will
= (Ratio of speeds of Rajesh and Sahil) start from Bombay towards Pune.
x x x Distance between Anand and Bimal
 . 
x  25 x  40 x  55 = 1,040 km.
x x  40 Speed of Anand = (9 – 5) = 4 km/hr
  Speed of Bimal = (11 + 5) = 16 km/hr
x  25 x  55
a c a ca Therefore, time taken for second meet-
We know that if = then  1, 040 1, 040
b d b d b ing =   52hr

x

x  40  x  
16  4 20
x  25 x  55  x  25 Distance travelled by Bimal in this time
x 40 period = 16 × 52 = 832 km
 
x  25 30 Therefore, distance of the second meeting
Þ 3x = 4(x – 25) point from Pune = 1,680 – 832 = 848 km.
Þ 3x = 4x – 100 Hence, option (A) is the correct answer.
Þ x = 100 km.
27. (A)
26. (A) Let’s assume the speed of the boat in
still water is B and the speed of stream is
R and the normal time taken by the boat
to travel the given distance in still water
= t minutes

Time, Speed, and Distance 95

 Similarly, the second equation will
Downstream Upstream In still
become
water 36 36
 2
Time (t − 10) min (t + 15) t min 2mv  v 2mv  v
min 1 1 v
Þ  
2m  1 2m  1 18
Speed B+R B–R B
2m  1  2m  1 v
As we can see that speeds are in arith- Þ 
2
4m  1 18
metic progression, so time would be in 2 v
harmonic progression. Þ  ...(iv)
4m  1 18
2
So, the time required in still water. Now, we have to divide equation (iii) by
= harmonic mean of (t + 15 min and t − 10 (iv), and we will get
min)
2 v
Þt 
  
2  t  15  t  10  2
m 1  2
t  15  t  10 2 v
Þ t   2t  5   2t  10t  300
2 4m  1 18
2

4m2  1
2 2
Þ 2t  5t  2t  10t  300 Þ 9
m2  1
Þ 5t = 300
Þ 4m2 – 1 = 9m2 – 9
Þ t = 60
Þ 5m2 = 8
Thus, the time needed to row down the same
8
   
distance = t  10  60  10  50minutes . Þ m2 =
5
Hence, option (A) is the correct answer.
8
Þm =
28. (A) 5
Let the usual speed of Nitin is u km/hr 8
Now put the value of m = in equation
and the speed of current or stream is v 5
(iii)
km/hr.
So, according to the conditions given in 2 v

the question  8
2
2
36 36   1
  18  5
 
uv uv ...(i)
4 4  5 20
Again, if Nitin doubles his speed, he takes Þ   ...(v)
8 3 3
2 hours less. 1
36 36 5
  2 ...(ii) Hence, the speed of the stream is
2u  v 2u  v
20
Let u = mv km / hr .
Then, the first equation becomes 3
36 36 Hence, option (A) is the correct answer.
  18
mv  v mv  v 29. (D)
1 1 v Let Amritsar express and Bhatinda ex-
Þ  
m1 m1 2 press travel with speeds x km/hr and y
m 1 m 1 v km/hr
Þ 
m2  1 2 So, x + y = 150 (i)
2 v Now, Amritsar express met Bengal Kranti
Þ 2  ...(iii)
m 1 2 at 4 p.m.

96 Time, Speed, and Distance

 So, Amritsar express is 6x km away from 30. 7.5
Pathankot at 4 p.m. Let’s assume Rohan’s rowing speed
And Bhatinda express and Bengal Kranti = A km/hr and stream’s usual flow speed
meet at 5 p.m. = B km/hr
So, Bhatinda express is 7y km away from 20 20
First case: – =2
Pathankot at 5 p.m. A − B  A +B 
Difference between those 2 points is 55 Simplifying the above equation, we will
km as in 1 hr Bengal Kranti travelled 55 km. get B = (A2 – B2)/20(i)
So, 6x – 7y = 55 (ii) 20 20
Second case: – = 6.4
Solving equations (i) and (ii), we get A − 2B  A+ 2B 
x = 85 km/hr and y = 65 km/hr. Simplifying the above equation, we will
In these 7 hours, Amritsar Express trav- get B = [6.4 (A2 – 4B2)]/80(ii)
elled 595 km and Bhatinda Express has On equating (i) and (ii) and after simplifi-
travelled 455 km. cation, we will get A : B = 3 : 1.
Therefore, their relative distance is 140 Now taking A = 3K and B = K and putting
km and their relative speed is 20 km/hr. the values of A and B in equation (i), we
So, Bhatinda Express will take next 7 will get B = K = 2.5.
hour to overtake Amritsar Express. Thus, Rohan’s rowing speed = A = 3K
They will meet at 12 am, i.e., midnight. = 3 × 2.5 = 7.5 km/hr.
Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.

Time, Speed, and Distance 97

 Mind Map

98 Time, Speed, and Distance