<PRE><B>Question 60881</B>
A slow train leaves the station, 2 hrs later a fast train, with double the speed of the slow train, leaves the station and catches up with the slow train after traveling 180 mi. Find the speed of both trains.
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When the two trains meet, they both will have traveled 180 miles
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Let s = speed of the slow train
Let 2x = speed of the fast train
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Write a time equation:
t = dist/ speed
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slow train time = fast train time + 2 hr
180/s = 180/2s + 2
180/s = 90/s + 2
:
Get rid of the denominators, mult equation by 2s
180 = 90 + 2s
180 - 90 = 2s
2s = 90
s = 45 mph is the slow train.
:
You find the speed of the fast train</PRE>