SOLUTION: A train traveling at the rate of 90 miles per hour (mi/hr) leaved New York City. Two hours later, another train traveling at the rate of 120 mi/hr also leaves New York City on a pa

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Question 1059932: A train traveling at the rate of 90 miles per hour (mi/hr) leaved New York City. Two hours later, another train traveling at the rate of 120 mi/hr also leaves New York City on a parallel track. How long will it take the faster train to catch up to the slower train?
Found 3 solutions by stanbon, algebrahouse.com, josgarithmetic:
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A train traveling at the rate of 90 miles per hour (mi/hr) left New York City. Two hours later, another train traveling at the rate of 120 mi/hr also leaves New York City on a parallel track. How long will it take the faster train to catch up to the slower train?
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Slower train DATA:
rate = 90 mph ; time = x hrs ; distance = 90x miles
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Faster train DATA:
rate = 120 mph ; time = x-2 ; distance = 120x - 240 miles
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Equation:
dist = dist
90x = 120x - 240
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-30x = -240
x = 8
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Ans: x-2 = 6 hrs
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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Answer by algebrahouse.com(1659) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
distance = rate x time
d = rt

One Train:
rate = 90
time = t
d = 90t {distance = rate x time}

Other Train
rate = 120
time = t - 2 {left 2 hours later}
d = 120(t - 2) {distance = rate x time}

When the faster train catches up with the slower train, their distances will be equal.

90t = 120(t - 2) {set distances equal to each other}
90t = 120t - 240 {used distributive property}
-30t = -240 {subtracted 120t from each side}
t = 8 {divided each side by -30}

t - 2 corresponds to the time of the faster train
= 8 - 2 {substituted 8, in for t, into (t - 2)
= 6 {subtracted}

It will take the faster train 6 hours to catch up with the slower train.

For more help from me, visit: www.algebrahouse.com




Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Typical traveling catchup problem


system%28r=90%2CR=120%2Ch=2%29
                 RATE        TIME       DISTANCE
SLOW EARLY       r           t+h           d
FAST LATE        R           t             d

The fast train catches up to the slow train when both have traveled distance d. Question asks for t.

system%28r%28t%2Bh%29=d%2CRt=d%29

Solve the system for t.
r%28t%2Bh%29=Rt
rt%2Brh=Rt
rh=Rt-rt
rh=t%28R-r%29
t=%28rh%29%2F%28R-r%29-----------the answer.