Problema Solution

Two trains leave the station at the same time, one heading west and the other east. the westbound train travels 60 mph faster than The eastbound train. If the two trains are 400 miles apart after 2 hours, what is the rate of the westbound train?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


v1 = the rate of the eastbound train

v2 = the rate of the westbound train

d = 400 mi

t = 2 hr


the westbound train travels 60 mph faster than the eastbound train


v2 = v1 + 60


v1 = v2 - 60


since speed = distance/time => distance = speed*time


v1*t + v2*t = d


2v1 + 2v2 = 400


plug v1 = v2 - 60 into the last equation


2(v2 - 60) + 2v2 = 400


by solving we find


v2 = 130 mph


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the rate of the westbound train is 130 mph.