Question:medium

A train travels 360 km at a uniform speed. If the speed had been 5 km/h more, it would have taken 48 minutes less. What is the speed of the train?

Updated On: Jan 16, 2026
  • 35 km/h
  • 45 km/h
  • 40 km/h
  • 50 km/h
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Let the original speed be \( x \) km/h. The time taken is \( \frac{360}{x} \) hours. The new speed is \( x + 5 \) km/h, and the new time taken is \( \frac{360}{x + 5} \) hours. According to the problem statement, the difference in time is 48 minutes, which is \( \frac{48}{60} = 0.8 \) hours. Therefore, we have the equation: \[ \frac{360}{x} - \frac{360}{x+5} = 0.8 \] Multiply both sides by \( x(x+5) \) to clear the denominators: \[ 360(x+5) - 360x = 0.8x(x+5) \] Simplify the equation: \[ 360x + 1800 - 360x = 0.8x^2 + 4x \Rightarrow 1800 = 0.8x^2 + 4x \] To eliminate the decimal, multiply the entire equation by 10: \[ 18000 = 8x^2 + 40x \Rightarrow 8x^2 + 40x - 18000 = 0 \] Divide by 8 to simplify: \[ x^2 + 5x - 2250 = 0 \] Solve this quadratic equation using the quadratic formula: \[ x = \frac{-5 \pm \sqrt{5^2 - 4(1)(-2250)}}{2(1)} = \frac{-5 \pm \sqrt{25 + 9000}}{2} = \frac{-5 \pm \sqrt{9025}}{2} = \frac{-5 \pm 95}{2} \] This gives two possible solutions for x: \( x = \frac{90}{2} = 45 \) or \( x = \frac{-100}{2} = -50 \). Since speed cannot be negative, we discard the negative value. Thus, \( x = 45 \). Let's verify this solution. Original time = \( \frac{360}{45} = 8 \) hours. New speed = \( 45 + 5 = 50 \) km/h. New time = \( \frac{360}{50} = 7.2 \) hours. The difference in time is \( 8 - 7.2 = 0.8 \) hours, which is equivalent to \( 0.8 \times 60 = 48 \) minutes. This matches the given condition. The original speed is \(\boxed{45 \text{ km/h}}\).
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