SOLUTION: A freight train leaves the train station 4 hours before a passenger train. The two trains are traveling in the same direction on parallel tracks. If the rate of the passenger tra

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Question 1064814: A freight train leaves the train station 4 hours before a passenger train. The two trains are traveling in the same direction on parallel tracks. If the rate of the passenger train is 40 mph faster than the freight​ train, how fast is each train traveling if the passenger train passes the freight train in 5 ​hours?
Answer by josmiceli(19441)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let = the rate of the freight train in mi/hr
The freight train's head start is
= the rate of the passenger train in mi/hr
Let = the distance in miles the passenger train travels
until it catches the freight train
--------------------------------------------------
The time is hrs for both trains when the
passenger train catches the freight train
--------------------------------------------------
Equation for freight train:
(1)
Equation for the passenger train:
(2)
---------------------------------
(1)
(1)
and
(2)
-----------------------
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
and

-----------------------
The passenger train's rate is 90 mi/hr
The freight train's rate is 50 mi/hr
----------------------------------
check:
(2)
(2)
(2) mi
and
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
and


mi/hr
OK

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