Problema Solution
A passenger train leaves a depot 1.5 h after a freight train leaves the same depot. The passenger train is traveling 15 mph faster than the freight train. Find the rate of each train if the passenger train overtakes the freight train in 3.5 h.
freight train mph
passenger train mph
Answer provided by our tutors
We will use the general equation d=rt (distance=rate*time) to write:
Passenger train:
d=r(3.5)
Freight train:
d=(r-15)(3.5+1.5)
Using Algebrator to solve for 'd' and 'r', we get:
d=175 miles
r=50mph
The rate of the passenger train is 50mph and the freight train rate is 65mph.