Question 538840:  a freight train left pennsylvania station traveling at 35mph. two hours later, a highspeed train left pennsylvania station on parallel tracks traveling 55mph. In how many hours after the slow train starts will the two trains meet? 
 Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! a freight train left pennsylvania station traveling at 35mph. two hours later, a highspeed train left pennsylvania station on parallel tracks traveling 55mph. 
 In how many hours after the slow train starts will the two trains meet? 
: 
Let t = travel time of the freight 
then 
(t-2) = travel time of fast train 
: 
When the fast train catches the freight, they will have traveled the same distance 
Write a dist equation, dist = speed * time 
: 
fast dist = slow dist 
55(t-2) = 35t 
55t - 110 = 35t 
55t - 35t = 110 
20t = 110 
t = 110/20 
t = 5.5 hrs for the freight to be caught 
: 
: 
Check this by finding the distance of each, should be the same 
35*5.5 = 192.5 mi 
55*3.5 = 192.5 
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