if a train a is traveling at a speed of 61mph and train B is traveling 59mph and both trains are on the same track how long will it take until they crash into each other?
2007-12-24 17:28:41 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
You have to know both the distance that separates them and the direction of travel to answer that.
For example if train A is behind train B then it could crash into the rear of B, or if they are heading in opposite directions then they will have a head on collision. Either way we have to know the starting separation distance.
2007-12-24 17:32:01 · answer #1 · answered by 1,1,2,3,3,4, 5,5,6,6,6, 8,8,8,10 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That depends on two things: 1) how far apart they started and 2) if they are moving in the same direction with train A catching up to train B from behind, or towards each other. If they are moving in the same direction, they are getting closer to each other at a rate of 61 - 59 = 2 mph. If they are moving towards each other, the gap closes at 61 + 59 = 120 mph. Either way, take the starting distance between them (in miles) and divide it by the rate at which the trains are approaching each other to get the time (in hours) it takes for them to crash.
2007-12-24 17:31:16 · answer #2 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Based on Data sufficiency I can answer like this :
The trains are not going to collide , because they are moving apart in the opposite direction after crossing each other in some small intermediate station. IF THIS WERE NOT SO, YOU WOULD / SHOULD HAVE GIVEN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TRAINS AND THEIR DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. Ha ! Ha! Ha! Ha! .........
2007-12-24 18:13:00 · answer #3 · answered by aditya 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same direction: Relative to each other, the trains are travelling at 2 mph. So, for each mile separating them, it will be two hours until they collide.
Opposite directions: The trains are travelling at 120 mph, relative to each other. For each mile between them, it will be 30 seconds until they collide.
2007-12-24 17:34:40 · answer #4 · answered by Master Maverick 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Uh, there isn't enough information to figure this out. How far are the trains from each other when they start, and what is the velocity vector of each one and it's position in relation to the other train?
2007-12-24 17:32:19 · answer #5 · answered by kaleidodope 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are they traveling in the same or opposite directions? how far apart are they?
if they are traveling toward each other, their speed of approach is 120 mph, and they will collide in a time of d/120mph where d is their current distance apart
2007-12-24 17:32:27 · answer #6 · answered by kuiperbelt2003 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some data is missing. Like how far were the trains when they start.
2007-12-24 17:32:05 · answer #7 · answered by newguy_27 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How far apart they started?
Are the going in the same direction (they can still crash, as one of them is going faster then the other one - given that the slower one is ahead of the faster one of course).
One you give us the above, we can answer your question.
Good Luck,
Kempos
2007-12-24 17:33:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In about 7.893893465783225465621 (that's rounded) hours.
2007-12-24 19:02:42 · answer #9 · answered by POURQUOI?! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never.none of math.They need constant speeds also.
2007-12-24 17:53:46 · answer #10 · answered by Tuncay U 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋