Two athletes run around a circular track in opposite direction and the...
Given:
- The ratio of speeds of two athletes is 2:3.
- The slower athlete takes 15 minutes to complete one round.
To find:The time after which they meet each other for the first time.
Solution:Let's assume the distance of the circular track is D.
Let the speeds of the slower and faster athletes be 2x and 3x respectively.
Step 1: Find the time taken by the faster athlete to complete one round.
The ratio of speeds of the two athletes is 2:3.
Let's assume the distance of the circular track is D.
Then the faster athlete will cover the distance D in less time than the slower athlete.
Let's assume the faster athlete takes T minutes to complete one round.
Then, using the formula Speed = Distance/Time, we get:
- Speed of slower athlete = D/15
- Speed of faster athlete = D/T
As per the given ratio, we have:
- Speed of slower athlete: Speed of faster athlete = 2:3
Therefore,
- (D/15)/(D/T) = 2/3
- T/15 = 3/2
- T = 22.5 minutes
So, the faster athlete takes 22.5 minutes to complete one round.
Step 2: Find the time taken by the two athletes to meet each other for the first time.
When the two athletes start from the same point and run in opposite directions, they will meet each other after covering a distance equal to the sum of their distances.
Let's assume that they meet after t minutes.
In t minutes, the slower athlete will cover a distance of (2x) * (t/15) = (2tx)/15
In t minutes, the faster athlete will cover a distance of (3x) * (t/22.5) = (2tx)/15
So, the distance covered by both athletes will be equal when they meet each other for the first time.
Therefore,
- (2tx)/15 = (3tx)/22.5
- t = 6 minutes
Therefore, the two athletes will meet each other for the first time after 6 minutes.
Final Answer: 6