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Two trains start from the same location and travel in opposite directions. After traveling for five hours, the trains are 435 miles apart. Train A is traveling 17 mph faster than Train B. What is the speed of each train?

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Final answer:

Train B has a speed of 35 mph, and Train A travels at a speed of 52 mph. This is determined by setting the speed of Train B as 'x', establishing an equation to represent the total distance covered by both trains, and solving for 'x'.

Step-by-step explanation:

Two trains start from the same location and travel in opposite directions. To find the speed of each train, let's denote the speed of Train B as 'x' mph. Since Train A is traveling 17 mph faster than Train B, the speed of Train A is therefore 'x + 17' mph.

After traveling for five hours, the trains are 435 miles apart. This means the distance covered by both trains together is 435 miles. We can write the equation:

5x + 5(x + 17) = 435

Expanding and solving for 'x' gives us:

5x + 5x + 85 = 435

10x = 435 - 85

10x = 350

x = 35

Thus, the speed of Train B is 35 mph and the speed of Train A is 35 mph + 17 mph = 52 mph.

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