Question

A freight train leaves a station at noon traveling at 30 mph. A passenger train leaves 1 hour later traveling at 50 mph. At what time will the passenger train overtake the freight train?

Answer 1

30t=50(t-1)
30t=50t-50
30t-50t=-50
-20t=-50
t=-50/-20
t=2.5 hours after the freight train leaves the station they will meet

Answer 2

after 2.5 hour passenger train would overtake .

Explanation:

A freight train leaves a station at noon traveling at 30 mph.

A passenger train leaves 1 hour later travelling at 50 mph

Let the time to leave the station of freight train = t

time to leave passenger train = t - 1

Since distance = speed × time

the expression will be :

30t = 50(t - 1)

30t = 50t - 50

30t - 50t = -50

-20t = -50

t =
`(-50)/(-20)`

t = 2.5 hours

After 2.5 hours passenger train would overtake the freight train.