Problema Solution

A freight train travels 5 miles per hour slower than a passenger train. If the freight train travels 260 miles in the same time that the passenger train travels 280 miles, find the speed of the freight train.

Answer provided by our tutors

Let the speed of freight train be x miles per hour

and the speed of passenger train be y

y-x = 5                    ................(1)

time taken for frieght train to cover 260 miles:  t1 = distance/speed = 260/x

time taken for passenger train to cover 280 miles:  t2 = distance/speed = 280/y

t1 = t2

260/x = 280/y

y = 280x/260       substituting in equation (1)       

(28x/26) - x =5

28x -26x =5*26

2x=130

x=65

y =28*65 /26 = 70

Speed of freight train = 65 miles per hour