SOLUTION: Two trains started from the same place at the same time and traveled in opposite directions at rates that differed by 20 miles per hour. In 5 hours, they were 650 miles apart. Fi

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Question 27557: Two trains started from the same place at the same time and traveled in opposite directions at rates that differed by 20 miles per hour. In 5 hours, they were 650 miles apart. Find the rate of each train. Please help!!!
Answer by venugopalramana(3286) About Me  (Show Source):
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Two trains started from the same place at the same time and traveled in opposite directions at rates that differed by 20 miles per hour. In 5 hours, they were 650 miles apart. Find the rate of each train. Please help!!!
LET SPEED OF FIRST TRAIN =X MPH
SPEED OF SECOND TRAIN =X+20 MPH
RELATIVE SPEED WHILE TRAVELLING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS =X+X+20=2X+20 =2(X+10)
ORIGINAL DISTANCE OF SEPERATION =0
FINAL DISTANCE OF SEPERATION = 650 MILES
HENCE DISTANCE TRAVELLED =650-0=650 MILES
TIME OF TRAVEL=5 HRS.
SO DISTANCE = RELATIVE SPEED * TIME
650= 2(X+10)*5=10X+100
10X=650-100=550
X=550/10=55 MPH.
SPEED OF FIRST TRAIN =55 MPH
SPEED OF SECOND TRAIN =55+20=75 MPH.