Question

A train averaging 50 mph leaves San Francisco at 1 PM for Los Angeles 440 miles away. At the same time, a train leaves Los Angeles heading for San Francisco on a ceiling track and travels at an average rate of 60 mph. How many hours will it take for the two trains to meet?

a) 3 hours
b) 4 hours
c) 5 hours
d) 6 hours

Answer 1

The two trains traveling at speeds of 50 mph and 60 mph towards each other will meet after 4 hours. We can calculate this by creating the equation 50t + 60t = 440, and solving for t, which results in t = 4 hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine how many hours it will take for the two trains to meet, we will need to find the point at which the sum of the distances each train has traveled equals the total distance between San Francisco and Los Angeles. To do so, we can use the formula for distance, which is distance = speed × time (d = st). Since the trains are traveling towards each other, we can set up the equation 50 mph × t + 60 mph × t = 440 miles, where t represents the time in hours after 1 PM that they meet.

Combining like terms, we get 110t = 440. Dividing both sides by 110 gives us t = 4. Therefore, it will take 4 hours for the two trains to meet after they leave at 1 PM. The correct answer to the question is (b) 4 hours.