Question

A cattle train left Miami and traveled toward New York. 14 hours later a diesel train left traveling at 45 km/h in an effort to catch up to the cattle train. After traveling for four hours the diesel train finally caught up. What was the cattle train's average speed?

Answer 1

The cattle train´s average speed was 10 km/h.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hi there!

The traveled distance of the trains can be calculated using this equation:

d = v · t

Where:

d = traveled distance.

v = velocity of the train.

t = time.

The diesel train travels 4 hours at 45 km/h, then, the traveled distance will be:

d = 45 km/h · 4 h = 180 km

Because the diesel train catches the cattle train after traveling 180 km, this will also be the distance traveled by the cattle train. But it took the cattle train (14 h + 4 h) 18 hours to travel that distance. Then, using the equation of distance:

d = v · t

180 km = v · 18 h

180 km/ 18 h = v

10 km /h = v

The cattle train´s average speed was 10 km/h

Have a nice day!