Question

Two trains start from towns 540 mi apart and travel towards each other on parallel track. They pass each other 4.5 hr later. If one train travels 20 mph faster than the other, find the rate of each train

Answer 1

Let x be the speed of the slower train and x + 20 be the speed of the faster train.

We can use the formula d = rt to solve for the speed of each train.

540 mi = (x)(4.5 hr)
540 mi = (x + 20)(4.5 hr)

Solving for x, we get x = 40 mph and x + 20 = 60 mph.

Therefore, the slower train is traveling at 40 mph and the faster train is traveling at 60 mph.