SOLUTION: a passenger train's speed is 60 mi/h, and a freight train's speed is 40 mi/h. the passenger train travels the same distance in 1.5 h less time than the freight train. How long doe

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: a passenger train's speed is 60 mi/h, and a freight train's speed is 40 mi/h. the passenger train travels the same distance in 1.5 h less time than the freight train. How long doe      Log On


   

Question 158070This question is from textbook prentice hall mathematics algebra 1
: a passenger train's speed is 60 mi/h, and a freight train's speed is 40 mi/h. the passenger train travels the same distance in 1.5 h less time than the freight train. How long does each train take to make the trip?




This question is from textbook prentice hall mathematics algebra 1

Answer by mangopeeler07(462) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
h=amount of hours
mph(h)=distance

the passenger train travels the same distance (set equal to each other) in 1.5 h less time than the freight train.

%2860%2Fh%29%28h-1.5%29=%2840%2Fh%29%28h%29

Simplify each side by multiplying
%28%2860h-90%29%2Fh%29=%2840h%2Fh%29

Eliminate the denominators, since they are the same thing
60h-90=40h

Subtract 60h from both sides
-90=-20h

Divide both sides by -20
4.5=h

Passenger train: (h-1.5)
Freight train: (h)

Plug in 4.5 for h

4.5-1.5=3.0
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Answer:

Passenger train= 3 hours
Freight train= 4.5 hours