Mrunal [Aptitude Q] STD table : Application in train man bridge, time an...

1 of 3

http://mrunal.org/2013/02/aptitude-q-std-table-application-in-train-man-b...

[Aptitude Q] STD table : Application in train man bridge, time and work
problems
Not really an article, just solving some readers queries to keep the STD concept
refreshed.
1. Case: Train, Man and Bridge
1. Conversion : kmph vs ms
2. Finding length of train
2. Case: Time n Work : A and B

Case: Train, Man and Bridge

A man is standing on a 180m long bridge.He finds that a train crosses the bridge in 20
seconds but himself in 8 seconds. Find the length of the train and its speed.
Approach:
When train crosses the bridge When train crosses the man
length of train + width of bridge length of train + width of bridge
Total distance=
m+180
m+0
Because in comparison to train, man / telephone wire / bike-rider etc are considered
zero in width.
Now make table
Train + bridge
Speed
s
Time
20
Distance M+180

Train + man
s
8
M

Now apply STD formula and you get two equations

Train + bridge
Speed
s
Time
20
Distance
M+180
Speed X time = Distance S x 20 = (M+180)

Train + man
s
8
M
S x 8 =M

Just solve those two equations

20s=M+180.(i)
8s=M.(ii)

7/28/2014 2:01 PM

Mrunal [Aptitude Q] STD table : Application in train man bridge, time an...

2 of 3

http://mrunal.org/2013/02/aptitude-q-std-table-application-in-train-man-b...

So in first equation, replace the value of M=8s

20s=8s+180
20s-8s=180
12s=180
S=180/12
S=15 m/s. thats our final answer. But suppose, in the answer options, the speed is
given in in km/h, then you need to convert m/s into km/h.

Conversion : kmph vs ms
1km =1000 meters.
1 hr = 60 minutes = 60 x 60 seconds = 3600 seconds.
Therefore, 1 km / hr = 1000m / 3600 seconds
1km / hr = 5 / 18 (m/s)
In otherwords,
1 meter per second = 18 / 5 kmph.
So 15 (m/s) = 15 x (18/5) km/h = 54 kmph. Thats our final answer.

Finding length of train

Moving to the next part: find the length of this train.
From the second equation, we know that
S x 8 =M
And weve found that speed of train= 15m/s.
hence 15 x 8 =m
m=120meters.
Answer: length of train is 120 meters.

Case: Time n Work : A and B

Question: A can do a piece of work in 80 days. He works at it for 10 days and then B
alone finishes the remaining work in 42 days. In how much time will A and B together
finish the work?
Make table
A
B
Speed
a
b
Time
80
b
Distance = speed x time a x 10=80a
It means total distance to be covered, is 80a.

A works for 10 days

A
B A works
Speed
a
b a
Time
80
10
Distance = speed x time a x 10=80a
10 x a =10a

7/28/2014 2:01 PM

Mrunal [Aptitude Q] STD table : Application in train man bridge, time an...

3 of 3

http://mrunal.org/2013/02/aptitude-q-std-table-application-in-train-man-b...

See the last column. A covered distance of 10a, meaning

So 80a-10a=70a distance is yet to be covered.
Now B comes and finishes this in 42 days

Speed
Time
Distance = speed x
time

A
a
80
ax
10=80a

B A works
b a
10
a x 10 =10a. (meaning 70a
remains).

B finishes
b
42
b x 42=
42b

That means 42b=70a (because remaining work =70a and B finished this.)
b=(70/42)a
Therefore, b=5a/3
Now if A+B worked together then, we can add their speed. And together theyve to
finish 80a distance

Update the table

Speed
Time
Distance =
speed x time

A works

a
80
ax
10=80a

b=5a/3 a
10
a x 10 =10a. (so 70a
work remains).

B finishes
b
42
b x 42=
42b

A+B
together
a+5a/3=8a/3
T
80a

Apply STD in last column

Speed x time = distance
8a/3 x T =80a
Therefore T= 30 days.
Final answer: if A and B work together, itll take them 30 days to finish the job.

URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2013/02/aptitude-q-std-table-application-in-trainman-bridge-time-and-work-problems.html

Posted By Mrunal On 20/02/2013 @ 20:32 In the category Aptitude

7/28/2014 2:01 PM