Question

Two trains leave the station at the same time, one heading east and the other west. The eastbound train travels 14 miles per hour slower than the westbound train. If the two trains are 400 miles apart after 2 hours, what is the rate of the eastbound train?

Answer 1

Rate of the Eastbound train is 93 mph.

Explanation:

Let the speed of the Eastbound train = x miles per hour

And the speed of the West bound train = y mph

Eastbound train travels 14 mph slower than the westbound train,

So the equation will be,

y - x = 14 ----------(1)

If these trains are 400 miles apart after 2 hours,

Distance traveled by the Eastbound train = Speed × Time

= 2x miles

Distance traveled by the Westbound train = 2y miles

Trains are 400 miles apart after 2 hours,

So the equation will be,

2y + 2x = 400

x + y = 200 ----------(2)

By adding equation (1) and equation (2)

(y - x) + (x + y) = 14 + 200

2y = 214

y = 107 mph

From equation (1)

107 - x = 14

x = 107 - 14

x = 93 mph

Therefore, rate of the Eastbound train is 93 mph.