Two trains leave towns 362 miles apart at the same time and travel toward each other. One train travels 11 mi/h faster than the other. If they meet in 2 hours, what is the rate of each train?

Answer 1

Let x and y be the rates of each train.

y = x + 11

After 2 hours, the sum of the two distances traveled by each train must equal 362 miles.

distance = time×rate.

2x + 2y =362

x+y=181

x+(x+11) = 181

2x+11 = 181

2x=170

x= 85 mph

y=85+11=96 mph

Answer 2

Since the two trains meet each other in 2 hours after starting 362 miles apart, their combined speed is 181 mi/hr. For the equation, x is the speed of the slower train, and x+11 is the speed of the faster train.

x+x+11=181

2x+11=181

2x=170

x=85

x+11=85+11=96

The slower train's rate was 85mi/hr, and the faster train's rate was 96mi/hr.