on december 26, 2004, an earthquake generated tsunamis off the coast of the isla
ID: 3104962 • Letter: O
Question
on december 26, 2004, an earthquake generated tsunamis off the coast of the island of sumatra. one tsunami struck patong beach in thailand, which was about 250 miles away from the epicenter. another tsunami struck batticaloa in sri lanka, which was about 900 miles away from the epicenter. both batticaloa and patong were struck at about the same time. if the rate of the tsunami which struck batticaloa was 325 mph greater than that of the tsunami which struck patong, find the rates of both tsunamis.Explanation / Answer
We use formula that
distance = rate * time
AFTER REARRANGING ....
distance / rate = time
Let the rate of tsunami which truck Patong be x.
Then the rate of the one which struck Batticalao is (x+325).
We don't know what the time was, but we know it was the same for both, so
so using formula defined above we get and solving we get....
time = 250 / x = 900 / (x+325)
250 (x + 325) = 900x
81,250 = 900x - 250x = 650x
x = 81,250 / 650 = 125
x + 325 = 450
thus conclusion is
So the rate of the tsunami which struck Patong was 125 mph, and it would have traveled 250 miles in two hours.
The rate of the tsunami which struck Batticalao was 450 mph, and it would have traveled 900 miles in two hours.
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