Problema Solution
A train leaves Boston at 2:00 PM. A second train leaves the same city in the same direction at 6:00 PM. The second train travels at 48 mph faster than the first. If the second train overtakes the first at 11:00 PM, what is the speed of the two trains?
Answer provided by our tutors
distance = speed * time
11:00 PM - 6:00 PM = 5 hours
11:00 PM - 2:00 PM = 9 hours
let 'v' represent the speed of the first train in mph, then 'v+48' represents the speed of the second train in mph
both trains travel the same distance, so we set their speed*time expressions equal to each other
9v = 5(v+58)
solving for 'v' we have v=72.5
72.5 + 58 = 130.5
the first train travelled at 72.5 mph, the second train travelled at 130.5 mph