Q:

Two trains A and B are 240 miles apart. Both start at the same time and travel toward each other. They meet 3 hours later. The speed of train A is 20 miles faster than train B. Find the speed of each train. (SHOW WORK)

Accepted Solution

A:
Answer: Train A = 50 mph; Train B = 30 mphStep-by-step explanation:In this case, let's call the speed of both trains as:Va: speed of train AVb: speed of train BAs train A is faster than train B, let's call speed of train B as X; So if Vb is X, then Va would be:Vb = XVa = X + 20If we combine both Speed, we have:V = Va + Vb = X + X + 20 = 2X + 20Now that we have an expression for the combined speed, let's recall the formula for speed in general:V = d/tWhere:d: distance = 240 milest: time = 3 hoursCombining all the data we have:V = 240/3but V is 2X + 20 so:2X + 20 = 240/3Solving for X:2X + 20 = 802X = 80 - 202X = 60X = 60/2X = Vb = 30 mphNow that we know speed of one train, we can know the speed of the other train:Va = 30 + 20 = 50 mph