<PRE><B>Question 1093875</B>
 A freight train leaves a station and travels east at an average speed of 48 mph. Later, a passenger train leaves the same station on parallel tracks and follows the freight train at an average speed of 60 mpg. If the passenger train overtakes the freight in 2 hours, how much of a head start did the freight train have? 
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Freight train DATA:
rate = 48 ; time = x hrs ; distance = r*t = 48x miles
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Passenger train DATA:
rate = 60 mph ; time = 2 hrs ; distance = 60*2 = 120 miles
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Distances are the same::
48x = 120
x = 2.5 hrs
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Head start = freight time - passenger time = 2.5-2 = 1/2 hour
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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