Flight Speed and Delay Calculation

XAT 2024 · Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation · Hard · Arithmetic

A flight, traveling to a destination 11,200 kms11,200\text{ kms} away, was supposed to take off at 6:30 AM. Due to bad weather, the departure of the flight got delayed by three hours. The pilot increased the average speed of the airplane by 100 km/hr100\text{ km/hr} from the initially planned average speed, to reduce the overall delay to one hour.

Had the pilot increased the average speed by 350 km/hr350\text{ km/hr} from the initially planned average speed, when would have the flight reached its destination?

  1. A.

    11:30 PM

  2. B.

    7:50 PM

  3. C.

    5:10 PM

  4. D.

    8:10 PM

  5. E.

    10:36 PM

Answer

D

Explanation

Let initial speed be F km/hrF\text{ km/hr} and initial planned time be t hourst\text{ hours}. F⋅t=11200  ⟹  t=11200FF \cdot t = 11200 \implies t = \frac{11200}{F}.

Delayed departure by 3 hours, overall delay reduced to 1 hour   ⟹  \implies travel time reduced by 3−1=2 hours3 - 1 = 2\text{ hours}. So new travel time is t−2t - 2. (F+100)(t−2)=11200  ⟹  (F+100)(11200F−2)=11200(F + 100)(t - 2) = 11200 \implies (F + 100)\left(\frac{11200}{F} - 2\right) = 11200 11200−2F+1120000F−200=1120011200 - 2F + \frac{1120000}{F} - 200 = 11200 −2F2−200F+1120000=0  ⟹  F2+100F−560000=0-2F^2 - 200F + 1120000 = 0 \implies F^2 + 100F - 560000 = 0. Solving: (F−700)(F+800)=0  ⟹  F=700 km/hr(F - 700)(F + 800) = 0 \implies F = 700\text{ km/hr}.

If speed is increased by 350 km/hr350\text{ km/hr}, new speed =700+350=1050 km/hr= 700 + 350 = 1050\text{ km/hr}. New travel time =112001050=323 hours=10 hours 40 minutes= \frac{11200}{1050} = \frac{32}{3}\text{ hours} = 10\text{ hours } 40\text{ minutes}.

Actual departure time =6:30 AM+3 hours=9:30 AM= 6:30\text{ AM} + 3\text{ hours} = 9:30\text{ AM}. Arrival time =9:30 AM+10 hours 40 minutes=8:10 PM= 9:30\text{ AM} + 10\text{ hours } 40\text{ minutes} = 8:10\text{ PM}.

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