Question

Two trains leave a station at the same time, one heading east and the other west. The eastbound train travels 16 miles per hour slower than the westbound train. If the two trains are 680 miles apart after 5 hours, how many miles per hour is the eastbound train traveling?

Answer 1

The distance between the two trains can be expressed as:

5(e)+5(e+16)=680, since westbound train's velocity is e+16

5e+5e+80=680 combine like terms on left side

10e+80=680 subtract 80 from both sides

10e=600 divide both sides by 10

e=60mph

check...

5(60)+5(76)=680

300+380=680

680=680

Answer 2

5(e)+5(e+16)=680
5e+5e+80=680
10e+80=680
10e=600
e=60mph
The answer is 60 mph!