A train 800 metres long is running at a speed of 78 km/hr. If it crosses a tunnel in 1 minute, then the length of the tunnel (in metres) is :
Aptitude
Problems on Trains
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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A130
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B360
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C500
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D540
Answer
Correct Answer: 500
Explanation
### Concept & Formula
Crossing a tunnel is mathematically identical to crossing a platform. The total distance covered is the train's length plus the tunnel's length.
$$ \text{Length of Tunnel} = (\text{Speed} \times \text{Time}) - \text{Length of Train} $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* **Given:** Train length = $800$ m, Speed = $78$ km/hr, Time = $1$ minute = $60$ seconds.
* **Convert Speed:** $78 \times \frac{5}{18} = \frac{390}{18} = \frac{65}{3}$ m/s.
* **Calculate Total Distance:** $\text{Distance} = \text{Speed} \times \text{Time} = \frac{65}{3} \times 60$.
* Distance = $65 \times 20 = 1300$ meters.
* **Find Tunnel Length:** $1300 \text{ m} - 800 \text{ m} = 500$ meters.
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Keep terms in fractional form to allow for immediate simplification. Using $\frac{65}{3}$ against the $60$ seconds turns a potentially messy decimal multiplication into a clean $65 \times 20$.
### Common Pitfall
Forgetting to convert $1$ minute into $60$ seconds, and multiplying the speed by $1$ instead.
### Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is **500**.