Question:medium

A train 150 meters long passes a platform in 30 seconds and passes a man running at 5 km/h in the opposite direction in 10 seconds. What is the speed of the train?

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Convert units consistently (km/h to m/s using \(\frac{5}{18}\)). Use relative speed for opposite directions and verify with the second condition.
Updated On: Jan 16, 2026
  • 49 km/h 
     

  • 60 km/h
  • 66 km/h
  • 72 km/h
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The objective is to determine the train's speed. This involves calculating the time taken to traverse a platform and the time taken to pass a man moving in the opposite direction.

1. Conceptual Framework:

- Train length: 150 meters.
- Platform traversal: The train covers its own length plus the platform's length. The platform's length will be derived from the time and speed.
- Man traversal (opposite direction): The train covers its own length plus the distance the man travels during that time.
- Unit consistency: All speeds must be standardized to meters per second (m/s).
- Relative speed (opposite direction): The sum of individual speeds.

2. Provided Data:

- Train length, \( L = 150 \) meters.
- Time to pass platform, \( t_1 = 30 \) seconds.
- Time to pass man, \( t_2 = 10 \) seconds.
- Man's speed, \( v_m = 5 \) km/h.

3. Unit Conversion:

Convert the man's speed from km/h to m/s:

\[v_m = 5 \times \frac{1000}{3600} = \frac{5000}{3600} \approx 1.39 \text{ m/s}\]

4. Train Speed Calculation:

Let the train's speed be denoted as \( v \) m/s.

Scenario: Passing the man

Due to the opposite direction of movement, the relative speed is \( v + v_m \).

The train covers its 150-meter length in 10 seconds while passing the man:

\[(v + v_m) \times 10 = 150\]

\[v + v_m = \frac{150}{10} = 15 \text{ m/s}\]

\[v = 15 - v_m = 15 - 1.39 = 13.61 \text{ m/s}\]

5. Verification with Platform Data:

The platform is passed in 30 seconds. This involves the train covering its length plus the platform's length. We can calculate the platform's length:

Distance covered during platform traversal = speed × time = \( v \times 30 = 13.61 \times 30 = 408.3 \) meters.

Platform length = Total distance covered - Train length = \( 408.3 - 150 = 258.3 \) meters.

6. Train Speed Conversion to km/h:

Convert the train's speed from m/s to km/h:

\[v = 13.61 \times \frac{3600}{1000} = 13.61 \times 3.6 = 49 \text{ km/h (approximately)}\]

Final Result:

The approximate speed of the train is 49 km/h.

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