Problema Solution

A train leaves Atlanta at 6:00pm. A second train leaves the same city in the same direction at 8:00pm. The second train travels 50 mph faster than the first. If the second train overtakes the firs tat 10:00pm, what is the speed of the two trains?

Answer provided by our tutors

let 'x' represent the speed of the first train, then 'x+50' represents the speed of the second train


the first train travelled from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, a total of 4 hours

the second train travelled from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, a total of 2 hours


distance = speed * time

both trains travel the same distance, so we set their speed*time expressions equal to each other


4x = 2(x+50)

solving for 'x' we have x=50


50+50=100


the first train travelled at 50mph, the second train travelled at 100mph