Final answer:
The freight train traveled for 7 hours before the passenger train caught up.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let's denote the time traveled by the freight train as x hours.
Since the freight train traveled at a speed of 39.6 km/h, the distance it covered would be 39.6x km.
The passenger train traveled 5 hours later and its speed was 72.6 km/h. By the time it caught up with the freight train, it would have traveled the same distance.
So, we can form the equation: 39.6x = 72.6(x - 5).
Simplifying the equation, we get 39.6x = 72.6x - 363.
By solving for x, we find that x = 7 hours.
Therefore, the freight train traveled for 7 hours before the passenger train caught up.
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