Question 237015
An express train and a local train leave Grays Lake at 3:00 P.M. and head for Chicago 50 miles away. The express travels twice as fast as the local and arrivies 1 hour ahead of the local. Find the speed of each train algebraically and show work. I believe the speed of the trains is 40 and 20 miles per hour respectivelly.. I'm having trouble formulating the equations
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Express train DATA
rate = 2x mph ; distance = 50 miles ; time = d/r = 50/2x hrs
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Local train DATA:
rate = x mph ; distance = 50 miles ; time = 50/x hrs
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Equation:
local time - express time = 1 hr
50/x - 50/2x = 1
50/x - 25/x = 1
Multiply thru by "x":
50 - 25 = x 
x = 25 mph (speed of the local train)
2x = 50 mph (speed of the express train)
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Cheers,
Stan H.