Question

A diesel train left the the station at the same time as a freight train . The trains traveled in opposite directions. The freight train traveled at a speed of 34 mph. After 13 hours they were 793 miles apart. How fast did diesel train travel ?

Answer 1

The speed of the diesel train is calculated by adding its distance to that of the freight train and setting the total equal to 793 miles after 13 hours. By solving the equation, we find that the speed of the diesel train is 27 mph.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine how fast the diesel train traveled, we first need to establish the relationship between the distances covered by the two trains and the time taken. Since the trains are moving in opposite directions, their separate distances traveled will add up to 793 miles after 13 hours.

Let's denote the diesel train's speed as x mph. Therefore, the diesel train travels a distance of 13x miles in 13 hours. According to the problem, the freight train travels at a speed of 34 mph, covering a distance of 13 × 34 miles in the same time. So, we can write the equation:

13x + 13 × 34 = 793

By solving this equation, we find out the speed of the diesel train:

13x + 442 = 793

13x = 793 - 442

13x = 351

x = 351 / 13

x = 27

So, the diesel train traveled at 27 mph.