SOLUTION: It takes 12 seconds for two trains to pass one another when moving in opposite directions. if they are in the same direction, it will take the faster train 3 minutes to pass the sl

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Question 774933: It takes 12 seconds for two trains to pass one another when moving in opposite directions. if they are in the same direction, it will take the faster train 3 minutes to pass the slower one. If the trains are `30 meters and 120 meters long, respectively, what are the rates of the two trains?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
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It takes 12 seconds for two trains to pass one another when moving in opposite directions.
if they are in the same direction, it will take the faster train 3 minutes to pass the slower one.
If the trains are `30 meters and 120 meters long, respectively, what are the rates of the two trains?
:
Convert 3 min to 180 seconds
:
let a = rate of train 1, (faster)
let b = rate of train 2
:
towards each other
12a + 12b = 30 + 120
12a + 12b = 150 m
:
a passing b
180a - 180b = 150
Multiply the 1st equation by 15, add to the above equation
180a + 180b = 2250
180a - 180b = 150
---------------------Addition eliminates b, find a
360a = 2400
a = 2400/360
a = 62%2F3 m/sec is the speed of the 1st train, about 24 km/hr
:
Find b
12(6.667) + 12b = 150
12b = 150 - 80
12b = 70
b = 70/12
b = 55%2F6 m/sec is the speed of the 2nd train, about 21 km/hr