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A jogger running at 9 kmph alongside a railway track in 240 metres ahead of the engine of a 120 metres long train running at 45 kmph in the same direction. In how much time will the train pass the jogger?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 36 seconds

Explanation:

Given Data

  • Speed of train = 45 kmph
  • Speed of jogger = 9 kmph
  • Initial gap between train front and jogger = 240 m
  • Length of train = 120 m

Step 1: Convert speeds to m/s
Use 1 kmph = (1000/3600) m/s = (5/18) m/s Train speed = 45 × (5/18) = 12.5 m/s Jogger speed = 9 × (5/18) = 2.5 m/s


Step 2: Relative speed (same direction)
Relative speed = Train speed − Jogger speed = 12.5 − 2.5 = 10 m/s


Step 3: Total distance the train must cover relative to the jogger
To completely pass the jogger, the front of the train must first close the 240 m gap and then the entire train length (120 m) must go past the jogger. Total relative distance = 240 + 120 = 360 m


Step 4: Time = Distance ÷ Relative speed
Time = 360 ÷ 10 = 36 seconds


Sanity Check (in kmph units)
Relative speed = 36 kmph. Distance = 0.36 km. Time = 0.36 ÷ 36 hour = 0.01 hour = 36 seconds.


Final Answer
The train will pass the jogger in 36 seconds.

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