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Peace
Lv 5
Peace asked in Science & MathematicsMathematics · 5 years ago

linear equation?

3. An earthquake emits a primary wave and a secondary wave. Near the surface of the earth the primary wave travels at 5 miles per second and the secondary wave travels at 3 miles per second. From the time lag between the two waves arriving at a given receiving station, it is possible to estimate the distance to the quake. Suppose a station measured a time difference of 16 seconds between the arrival of the two waves. How long did each wave travel, and how far was the earth quake from the station?

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  • 5 years ago
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    Let the distance of the earthquake from the station = d

    distance/speed = time

    So we have d/3 - d/5 = 16

    5d - 3d = 240

    The earthquake was 120 miles from the station.

    The waves travelled 120/5 and 120/3 seconds, i.e. 24 and 40 seconds respectively.

  • 5 years ago

    Assume distance = d miles.

    d/3 - d/5 = 16

    d(2/15) = 16

    d = 16*(15/2) = 120 miles

    Primary wave time = 120/5 = 24 seconds

    secondary wave = 120/3 = 40 seconds

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