A train travels 400 km between Tokyo and Osaka. Renee searches the Internet and finds that the average speed of the Nozomi train is greater than that of t Hikari train by \( 30 \mathrm{~km} / \mathrm{h} \), and the faster train reduces the travelling time by 30 minutes. Find the average speed of the Nozomi train based on Renee's research.
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To find the average speed of the Nozomi train based on the information provided, we can set up equations based on the speed and the time saved. Let \( v \) be the average speed of the Hikari train in km/h. Then, the average speed of the Nozomi train would be \( v + 30 \) km/h. The time it takes for the Hikari train to travel 400 km is: \[ \text{Time}_{\text{Hikari}} = \frac{400}{v} \] The time for the Nozomi train is: \[ \text{Time}_{\text{Nozomi}} = \frac{400}{v + 30} \] According to the problem, the Nozomi train reduces the traveling time by 30 minutes (which is 0.5 hours). Thus, we can set up the equation: \[ \frac{400}{v} - \frac{400}{v + 30} = 0.5 \] Now, we multiply through by \( v(v + 30) \) to eliminate the denominators: \[ 400(v + 30) - 400v = 0.5v(v + 30) \] Simplifying this gives: \[ 12000 = 0.5v^2 + 15v \] Multiplying everything by 2 to eliminate the fraction: \[ 24000 = v^2 + 30v \] Rearranging results in: \[ v^2 + 30v - 24000 = 0 \] Now we can use the quadratic formula to solve for \( v \): \[ v = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} = \frac{-30 \pm \sqrt{30^2 - 4(1)(-24000)}}{2(1)} \] \[ v = \frac{-30 \pm \sqrt{900 + 96000}}{2} = \frac{-30 \pm \sqrt{96800}}{2} \] Calculating \( \sqrt{96800} \) gives approximately \( 310.87 \): \[ v = \frac{-30 \pm 310.87}{2} \] Taking the positive solution: \[ v = \frac{280.87}{2} \approx 140.43 \text{ km/h} \] Thus, the average speed of the Nozomi train is: \[ v + 30 \approx 140.43 + 30 \approx 170.43 \text{ km/h} \] Therefore, the average speed of the Nozomi train is approximately **170.43 km/h**.