SOLUTION: Question: How long will it take a passenger train to overtake a freight train? Scenario: At 4:00pm, a freight train leaves Chicago traveling @ 40mph. At 8:00pm, a passenger trai

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Question 447260: Question: How long will it take a passenger train to overtake a freight train?
Scenario: At 4:00pm, a freight train leaves Chicago traveling @ 40mph. At 8:00pm, a passenger train leaves the same station traveling in the same direction at 60 mph.
I believe to begin this problem I need to set it up as noted below, but I'm not sure if this is correct and what my next step will be.
d = rt
d-1 = 40mph - 40(4)
d-2 = 60mph - 60(8)
Your help is greatly appreciated.
Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Freight train 40 mph
passenger train 60 mph

Freight train 04:00
passenger train 08:00

Difference in time= 04:00
Freight train will have covered 160 miles before passenger train starts

catch up distance= 160 miles
catch up speed = 60 -40 mph
catch up speed = 20 mph

Catchup time = catchup distance/catch up speed
catch up time= 160 / 20
catch up time= 8 hours
m.ananth@hotmail.ca