document.write( "Question 1093875: A freight train leaves a station and travels east at an average speed of 48 mph. Later, a passenger train leaves the same station on parallel tracks and follows the freight train at an average speed of 60 mpg. If the passenger train overtakes the freight in 2 hours, how much of a head start did the freight train have? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #708514 by stanbon(75887) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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A freight train leaves a station and travels east at an average speed of 48 mph. Later, a passenger train leaves the same station on parallel tracks and follows the freight train at an average speed of 60 mpg. If the passenger train overtakes the freight in 2 hours, how much of a head start did the freight train have?
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\n" ); document.write( "Freight train DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "rate = 48 ; time = x hrs ; distance = r*t = 48x miles
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\n" ); document.write( "Passenger train DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "rate = 60 mph ; time = 2 hrs ; distance = 60*2 = 120 miles
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\n" ); document.write( "Distances are the same::
\n" ); document.write( "48x = 120
\n" ); document.write( "x = 2.5 hrs
\n" ); document.write( "-----
\n" ); document.write( "Head start = freight time - passenger time = 2.5-2 = 1/2 hour
\n" ); document.write( "-------------
\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H.
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