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?
:
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