Algebra Homework

Question

A train leaves Philadelphia at 3:00 PM. A second train leaves the same city in the same direction at 5:00 PM. The second train travels 22 mph faster than the first. If the second train overtakes the first at 9:00 PM, what is the speed of each of the two trains?

Answer 1

At 9 pm, the first train traveled 6 hrs, and the second train traveled 4 hrs.  

Let the first train travel at x mph, so the second train travels (22+x) mph.

(x+22) * 4 = 6x, since they have to travel the same distance at 9 in order to overtake.

4x+88 =6x

88=2x

x=44 is the speed of the first train

44+22 =66 is the speed of the second train.