SOLUTION: The local train is 25 miles down the track from central station when the express leaves the station. The local train travels at a rate of 50 mi/hr and the express travels at a rate

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Question 560195: The local train is 25 miles down the track from central station when the express leaves the station. The local train travels at a rate of 50 mi/hr and the express travels at a rate of 80 mi/hr. Let N represent the number of hours since the express train left Central Station.
Question 1.) Write at expression that represents the express train's distance from Central Station in N hours.
Question 2.) When will the express train catch up with the local train?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The local train is 25 miles down the track from central station when the express leaves the station.
The local train travels at a rate of 50 mi/hr and the express travels at a rate of 80 mi/hr.
Let N represent the number of hours since the express train left Central Station.
:
Question 1.) Write at expression that represents the express train's distance from Central Station in N hours.
80n
:
Question 2.) When will the express train catch up with the local train?
:
When the express catches up with the local, they will have traveled the same distance
write a distance equation: dist = = speed * time
:
80n = 50(n + 50%2F25)
80n = 50(n+.5)
80n = 50n + 25
80n - 50n = 25
30n = 25
n = 25%2F30
n = 5%2F6 hr or 50 minutes to catch up with the local
:
:
Confirm this by finding the actual distances, they should be the same:
Local took half hr longer; 8/6 hrs
5%2F6*80 = 66.67 mi
8%2F6*50 = 66,67 mi