Two trains leave towns 1212 kilometers apart at the same time and travel toward each other. One train travels 17 kmh slower than the other. If they meet in 4 hours, what is the rate of each train?

Answer 1

Let v₁ = velocity of 1st train, v₂ = velocity of the 2nd train = v₁ - 17

Also, v₁ = D₁/t and v₂ = D₂/t where t = time = 4 hours and D = distance traveled

and D₁ + D₂ = 1212 km so, v₁(t) + v₂(t) = 1212 km

and v₁(t) + (v₁ - 17)(t) = 1212 substituting the time we have 4v₁ + 4v₁ - 68 = 1212

or 8v₁ = 1280 Therefore, v₁ = 160 km/hr

v₂ = v₁ - 17 = 160 - 17 = 143 km/hr