M1 June 2010 Q5
5. Two cars \(P\) and \(Q\) are moving in the same direction along the same straight horizontal road. Car \(P\) is moving with constant speed 25 m s\(^{-1}\). At time \(t = 0\), \(P\) overtakes \(Q\) which is moving with constant speed 20 m s\(^{-1}\). From \(t = T\) seconds, \(P\) decelerates uniformly, coming to rest at a point \(X\) which is 800 m from the point where \(P\) overtook \(Q\). From \(t = 25\) s, \(Q\) decelerates uniformly, coming to rest at the same point \(X\) at the same instant as \(P\).
(a) Sketch, on the same axes, the speed-time graphs of the two cars for the period from \(t = 0\) to the time when they both come to rest at the point \(X\). (4)
(b) Find the value of \(T\). (8)

| Scheme | Marks |
|---|---|
| Shape (both) | B1 |
| Cross | B1 |
| Meet on \(t\)-axis | B1 |
| Figures 25, 20, \(T\), 25 | B1 |
| (4) |
| Scheme | Marks |
|---|---|
| For \(Q\): \(20\left(\dfrac{t + 25}{2}\right) = 800\) | M1 A1 |
| \(t = 55\) | DM1 A1 |
| For \(P\): \(25\left(\dfrac{T + 55}{2}\right) = 800\) | M1 A1 |
| solving for \(T\): \(T = 9\) | DM1 A1 |
| (8) | |
| (12 marks) |