SOLUTION: Two trains leave a station at the same time. One travels east at 50 miles per hour and the other travels west at 55 miles per hour. In how many hours will the two trains be 315 mil

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Question 408559: Two trains leave a station at the same time. One travels east at 50 miles per hour and the other travels west at 55 miles per hour. In how many hours will the two trains be 315 miles apart?
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Hi

Two trains leave a station at the same time. 

One travels east at 50mph and the other travels west at 55mph 

In how many hours will the two trains be 315 miles apart?

Let x and (315-x) represent the distance the 55mph and 50mph travel respectively



D = r*t OR t = D/r  (time for each train the same

 +x%2F55+=+%28315-x%29%2F50+   |cross multiplying to solve for x 

 50x = 55(315-x)

 105x = 55*315

    x = 55*315/105 = 165mi, distance travel by 55mph train

  t = 165/55 = 3hr, number of hours it will take for trains to be 315 mi apart



CHECKING our Answer***

 3*55 + 3*50 = 165mi + 150mi = 315mi