Train B can cross a ‘d’ meter long platform in 16

Solution

The speed of train B is 40% less than the speed of train A.

Let’s assume the speed of train A is 10y.

speed of train B = 10y of (100-40)%

= 10y of 60%

= 6y

The ratio between the length of train A and B is 10:9 respectively.

Let’s assume the length of train A and B is 10z and 9z respectively.

Train B can cross a ‘d’ meter long platform in 16 seconds.

(9z+d)/16 = 6y

9z+d = 96y    Eq.(i)

Train A can cross a pole in 8 seconds.

10z/8 = 10y

z = 8y     Eq.(ii)

Both of the trains cross each other in 9.5 seconds.

(10z+9z)/9.5 = 10y+6y

19z/9.5 = 16y

2z = 16y

z = 8y    Eq.(iii)

Here Eq.(ii) and Eq.(iii) are the same. In Eq.(i) and Eq.(ii) two and three variables are available. So we cannot determine the value of any of the variables from the given information.