SOLUTION: At 6am a train traveling at 50mph leaves Los Angeles for San Francisco. Three hours later a train traveling at 40mph leaves San Francisco for Los Angeles. What time will the trains

Question 624949: At 6am a train traveling at 50mph leaves Los Angeles for San Francisco. Three hours later a train traveling at 40mph leaves San Francisco for Los Angeles. What time will the trains pass each other? Assume the distance between the two cities is 450 miles.
I need an equation set-up to be solved please. Thank-you!
Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
How much of a head start did the 1st train have?

mi
After this head start, start a stopwatch when the 2nd train leaves.
Now both trains will travel for the same amount of time until
they meet.
Let = distance that 2nd train travels
----------
Equation for 1st train:
(1)
Equation for 2nd train:
(2)
--------------
(1)
Substitute (2) into (1)
(1)
(1)
(1) hrs
The trains will pas each other 3 hrs and 20 min after
6 AM or 9:20 AM
check:
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1) mi
and
(2)
(2)
(2)
OK
Note that first car travels mi
which includes the head start

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