Correct Answer: Option A
Distance from station A to station B = x km (say)
The train covers the distance from station A to station B at the speed of 58 kmph
At this speed, the train covers x km in (x/58) hours.
Similarly, the train covers station B to station A in (x/52)hours
Hence, the train covers 2x km distance in [(x/58)+(x/52)]hours
[(x/58)+(x/52)] = 0.036x
In 0.036x hours the train goes 2x km
In 1 hour the train goes 2x/0.036x = 54 km (approximately)
SHORT TRICK:
The average of two speeds over equal distances is obtained using their harmonic means:
\(\frac{{2{\rm{\;}} \times {\rm{\;}}58{\rm{\;}} \times {\rm{\;}}52}}{{58 + 52}} = \frac{{58 \times 52}}{{55}} = 54.83\)
\(≈ 54kmph\)
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