SOLUTION: Train a is 10mph slower than train b. Train a travels 210 miles in the same time that train b travels 260 miles. What is the speed of each train? I know that speed equals d/t

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Question 348296: Train a is 10mph slower than train b. Train a travels 210 miles in the same time that train b travels 260 miles. What is the speed of each train?

I know that speed equals d/t but I am just extremely frustrated trying to figure out these speeds. Please help!
Found 2 solutions by ewatrrr, solver91311:
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hi,
*Note: Question poses the time being the same for both train, one traveling at speed x , the slower at speed (x-10)
.
t= (d/r)
.

.
Solve by cross multiplying

.
Simplify and solve for x

The other 42mph (x-10)
.
Check your answer
260mi/52mph = 5hr
210mi/42mph = 5hr

Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Let represent the rate of the faster train. Then the speed of the slower train is . It is true that but that is not a helpful relation for this particular problem. What we will find to be more helpful is that .

The slower train's 210 mile trip can be described by:

And the faster train's 260 mile trip can be described by:

Note that , so we can write:

Now all you need to do is cross multiply and solve your linear equation in . Then follows directly.

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it