Train speed

Question

A train leaves Orlando at 4pm. A second train leaves the same city in the same direction at 8pm. The second train travels 112 mph faster than the first. The second train overtakes the first at 10pm, what is the speed of each train?

Answer 1

Hi Jen,

 

Train 1 time = 6 hours at speed X

 

Train 2 time = 2 hours at speed X + 112

 

Distances for each train are the same at the point where one overtakes the other

 

Distance = rate X time

 

6X = 2(X+112)

 

6X = 2X + 224

 

4X = 224

 

X = 56 mph = train 1 speed

 

56 + 112 = 168 mph = train 2 speed

 

Dan