SOLUTION: suppose two trains leave a station at the same time, traveling in opposite directions. Train B travels 20 mph faster than Train A. In 4.5 hours, the trains are 459 miles apart. Fin
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Question 1197739: suppose two trains leave a station at the same time, traveling in opposite directions. Train B travels 20 mph faster than Train A. In 4.5 hours, the trains are 459 miles apart. Find the speed of each train. Answer by ikleyn(52776) (Show Source):
x mph = speed of the slower train.
(x+20) mph = speed of the faster train.
Total distance equation
4.5x + 4.5(x+20) = 459.
Divide both sides by 4.5
x + (x+20) = 102
2x = 102 - 20 = 82
x = 82/2 = 41.
ANSWER. The speed of the slower train is 41 mph. That of the faster train is 41+20 = 61 mph.