Fastest trains are the maglev and the French TGV.sum of their fastest speeds is 718.2 mph. If the speed of the maglev is 3.8 mph faster, find the sum

Question

1. Find answer
2. show work

Answer 1

Hi Javier, 

Just to clarify, are you trying to find the speeds of the two trains? If so, you can review my solution below.

 

Final Answer:

Maglev top speed = 361 mph

TGV top speed = 357.2 mph

 

Path to the Answer:

You are solving a system of equations with 2 variables. Most of the time, you need two independent equations in order to do this. 

 

You can write 2 equations from the information given in the question as follows:

Equation 1)  M + T = 718.2

Equation 2)  M - T = 3.8

Where M = the top speed of the Maglev, and T = the top speed of the TGV

 

Let's use equation 2 to define M in terms of T:

M - T = 3.8

M = T + 3.8

 

Next, let's plug our new definition of M into equation 1:

M + T = 718.2

(T + 3.8) + T = 718.2

2T + 3.8 = 718.2

2T = 714.4

T = 357.2 mph

 

Now, we'll plug the value of T back into equation 2, so we can solve for M:

M - T = 3.8

M - 357.2 = 3.8

M = 3.8 + 357.2

M = 361 mph

 

You can check your answer by plugging both values into your original equations:

M + T = 718.2

361 + 357.2 = 718.2

 

M - T = 3.8

361 - 357.2 = 3.8