Question 298582
A train leaves Watsonville at noon traveling north at 44 mph.
 One hour later, another train, going 52 mph, travels north on a parallel track.
 How many hours will the second train travel before it overtakes the first train?
:
Let t = travel time of the 2nd train
The 1st train left 1 hr earlier, therefore
(t+1) = travel time of the 1st train
:
When the 2nd train overtakes the 1st, they will have traveled the same distance
Write a distance equation from this fact; Dist = speed * time
:
2nd train dist = 1st train dist 
52t = 44(t+1)
52t = 44t + 44; multiplied whats inside the brackets
52t - 44t - 44; subtracted 44t from both sides
8t = 44
t = {{{44/8}}}; divide both sides by 8
t = 5.5 hrs travel time of the 2nd train
and
5.5 + 1 = 6.5 hr travel time of the 1st train
:
:
Check this by finding the distance of each train
52 * 5.5 = 286 mi, 2nd train dist
44 * 6.5 = 286 mi also, confirms our solution
:
Was this step-by-step enough for you to clearly understand this?