Problema Solution

A train leaves Orlando at

3:00 PM

. A second train leaves the same city in the same direction at

5:00 PM

. The second train travels

20 mph

faster than the first. If the second train overtakes the first at

10:00 PM,

what is the speed of each of the two trains?

Answer provided by our tutors

Let

v = the speed of the first train

v + 10 = the speed of the second train

t1 = 7 hr = the time of the travel of the first train (there are 7 hours between 1:00 PM and 10:00 PM)

t2 = 5 hr = the time of the travel of the second train (there are 5 hours between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM)

Since both trains traveled the same distance and distance = speed*time we have:

v*t1 = (v + 10)*t2

7v = 5(v + 10)

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click here to see the equation solved for v

........

v = 25 mph

v + 10 = 25 + 10 = 35 mph

The speed of the first train is 25 mph while the speed of the second train is 35 mph.