Two trains leave towns 1452 kilometers apart at the same time and travel toward each other. One train travels 16 km faster than the other. If they meet in 6 hours, what is the rate of each train?

Answer 1

distance = rate x time

distance = 1452 km, time = 6 hours. The rate is rate the two trains are approaching one another, known as the closing speed: rate = x + x + 16 = 2x + 16.

distance = rate x time

1452 = (2x + 16) · 6

242 = 2x + 16

Solve for x, the rate of the first train. The rate of the second train is x + 16. The units are km/hour.