Question

Two trains leave stations 520 miles apart at the same time and travel toward each other. One train travels at 105 miles per hour while the other travels at 95 miles per hour. How long will it take for the two trains to meet?

Do not do any rounding.

Answer 1

1. Use a d=rt table to organize the data.
2. Solve for the sum of the 2 distances to equal 520 miles (because they're traveling toward each other) to find x.
3. Use x to determine your final answer (reference the table you made).
4. Find 2.6 hrs

Explanation:

Form a d=rt table to show the known distances, rates, and times. The distance was determined by multiplying rate and time.

x is the time it takes for the 2 trains to meet

Train 1: r (105 mph) × t (x) = d (105x)

Train 2: r (95 mph) × t (x) = d (95x)

Now add the distances together and solve for them to equal 520.

105x+95x=520

Combine like terms.

200x=520

x= 13/5 hours = 2.6 hours = 2 hours & 36 minutes