Question

Two trains leave Cleveland at the same time. One train travels east and the other travels west. The speed of the westbound train is 4mph greater than the speed of the eastbound train. After 3.5 hours, they are 658 miles apart. Find the rate of each train. Assume that the trains travel in a straight line in directly opposite directions

Answer 1

The eastbound train travels at 92 mph and the westbound train travels at 96 mph.

Explanation:

We know that Velocity = distance / time

If the eastbound train travels at x miles per hour, the westbound train travels at x + 4 mph.

After 3.5 hours, they are 658 miles apart. If we solve for distance the formula given above we have: Distance = velocity x time. We have that the total distance between both trains is 658 miles.

Substituting the values of the problem and solving for x we have

`658 = 3.5x+3.5(x+4)\\658=3.5x+3.5x+14\\644=7x\\92=x`

Thus, the eastbound train travels at 92 mph and the westbound train travels at 96 mph.