find the speed

Question

two trains are 600 miles apart, and their speeds differ by 20 miles per hour. find the speed of each train if they are traveling toward each other and will meet in three hours.

Answer 1

Hi Rachelle

 

The speed of one train is X and the speed of the other train is X+20 = each train's rate

 

T = time = 3 hours

D₁ + D₂ = 600 miles where D₁ and D₂ are the distances the two trains travel in the 3 hours

 

Since D = RT

 

3X + 3(X+20) = 600

3X + 3X + 60 = 600

6X + 60 = 600

6X = 540

X = 90

 

So one train is traveling 90 miles per hour and the other train is traveling X+20 or 110 miles per hour.