A thief is spotted by a policeman from a distance of 480 m. When the policeman starts the chase, the thief also starts running. If the speed of the thief is 19 km/h and that of the policeman is 23 km/h, then how far would the thief have to run before he is overtaken?

2280 m

We know that ,

Speed =  \(\frac{Distance}{Time}\)

Relative speed ( When both moves in same direction ) = 23 - 19 = 4 km/h

To convert km/h into m/sec

4 km/h = 4 × \(\frac{5}{18}\) m/sec = \(\frac{10}{9}\) m/sec

Time taken by police to catch thief = \(\frac{480 × 9 }{10}\)  = 432 sec

Distance covered by thief in 432 sec = 432 × 19 × \(\frac{5}{18}\)

= 2280 m