Question

Two particles are projected simultaneously towards each other from opposite ends of a straight horizontal tube. One particle travels 97 cm in the 1st 2 seconds, 93 cm in next 2 seconds , 89 cm in another next 2 seconds, etc. The other particle travels 49 cm in the 1st 2 seconds, 47 cm in the next 2 seconds , 45 cm in another next 2 seconds, etc. Find how long it takes for the particles to meet and hence, determine the distances travelled by each particle.

Answer 1

This shows that it will take the particle 23 secs to meet.

The distance travelled by each particle is 50cm

If two particles are projected simultaneously towards each other from opposite ends of a straight horizontal tube,

The first particle distances are 97cm, 93cm, 89cm... every 2secs

This form an arithmetic sequence and the nth term is expressed as:

Tn = a  + (n - 1)d

a is the first term = 97

d is the common difference = 4

Substitute

Tn = 97+(n - 1)(4)

Tn = 97 + 4n -4

Tn  = 4n  + 93

Similarly for the distances 49 cm, 47 cm, 45cm .....

This also forms an arithmetic sequence and the nth term is expressed as:

Tn = a  + (n - 1)d

a is the first term = 49

d is the common difference = 2

Substitute

Tn = 49+(n - 1)(2)

Tn = 49 + 2n -2

Tn  = 2n  + 47

For the particles to meet, this means that 4n  + 93 = 2n + 47

4n - 2n = 47 - 93

2n = -46

n = -23

This shows that it will take the particle 23 secs to meet.

To get the distance travelled by each particle

Tn  = 4n  + 93

T2 = 4(2) + 93

T2 = 101

For the other sequence;

Tn  = 2n  + 47

T2  = 2(2)  + 47

T2 = 51

Taking the difference;

D = 101 - 51 = 50cm

Hence the distance travelled by each particle is 50cm

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