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A freight left Miami and traveled toward the outer-most station at an
average speed of 39.6 km/h. A passenger train left five hours later
and traveled in the same direction but with an average speed of 72.6
km/h. How long did the freight train travel before the passenger
train caught up?
(Just enter the answer without the units)
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1 Answer

4 votes

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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