Question

Two trains leave towns 785 miles apart at the same time and travel toward each other. One train travels 21

faster than the other. If they meet in 5 hours,
h
what is the rate of each train?

Answer 1

Slow train: 68 mph

faster train: 68 + 21 = 89 mph

Explanation:

Givens

The total distance is 785 miles

The rate of one train is r

The rate of the second train is r + 21

The time they travel that total distance of 785 miles is 5 hours.

Formula

d = r * t

r*5 + (r+21)*5 = 785 miles

Solution

5r + 5(r + 21) = 785 Remove the brackets on the left

5r + 5r + 105 = 785 Combine

10r + 105 = 785 Subtract 105 from both sides

10r = 680 Divide by 10

r = 680/10

r = 68