Problema Solution

Two trains move between two towns. It takes the first train 2 hr 48 min and it takes the second 4 hr 40 min. The rate of the first train is 26 mph more than that of the second train. What is the distance between these towns?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


t1 = 2 hr 48 min = 2 + 48/60 hr = 2.8 hr the time of the first train


t2 = 4 hr 40 min = 4 + 40/60 hr = 4 + 2/3 hr = 14/3 hr the time of the second train


v + 26 = the rate of the first train


v = the rate of the second train


d = the distance, d>0


since speed = distance/time we have:


v + 26 = d/2.8


v = d/(14/3)


by solving the above system of equations we find:


d = 182 mi


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the distance between the towns is 182 miles.