Question

Two trains leave Cleveland at the same time. One train travels east and the other travels west. The speed of the westbound train is 3mph

greater than the speed of the eastbound train. After 4
hours, they are 648
miles apart. Find the rate of each train. Assume that the trains travel in a straight line in directly opposite directions.

Answer 1

Answer: Let x be the speed of the eastbound train.

Then the speed of the westbound train is x+3 mph.

We can set up the following equation using the distance formula (rate x time = distance)

x*4 = 648/2 + (x+3)*4

Solving for x,

x= 42

So the speed of the eastbound train is 42 mph and the speed of the westbound train is 45 mph.

Explanation: