A train travels at a certain average speed for a distance of 63 km

• Quadratic Equations (C10)

A train travels at a certain average speed for a distance of 63 km and then travels at a distance of 72 km at an average speed of 6 km/hr more than its original speed. If it takes 3 hours to complete total journey, what is the original average speed?

Answer 

Let original speed of the train be x km/h.

Time taken to travel 63 km = 63/x hours

New speed = (x + 6) km/hr

Time taken to travel 72 km = 72/(x + 6) hours

According to the question,

63/x + 72/(x + 6) = 3

x² - 39x - 126 = 0

(x - 42)(x + 3) = 0

x = -3 or x = 42

As the speed cannot be negative, x = 42

Thus, the average speed of the train is 42 km/hr.