Problema Solution

an express train and a freight train leave at the same time in two cities at 270 miles per hour apart towards each other. the rate of the freight train is 40mi/h and the rate of the express train is 50 mi/h. in how many hours will the train meet?

Answer provided by our tutors

Let

d = 270 mi the distance

v1 = 40 mi/h the rate or the average speed of the freight train

v2 = 50 mi/h the rate or the average speed of the express train

t = the time of the travel

Since average speed multiplied by the time equals the distance, and the trains are traveling towards each other we can write:

v1t + v2t = d

40t + 50t = 270

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click here to see the step by step solution for t

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t = 3 h

The trains will meet in 3 hours.