Question

Two trains leave Cleveland at the same time. One train travels east and the other travels west. The speed of the westbound train is3 mph greater than the speed of the eastbound train. After4 hours, they are600 miles apart. Find the rate of each train. Assume that the trains travel in a straight line in directly opposite directions.

Answer 1

we have the followoing:

Let E be eastbound

Let W be westbound

Therefore,

$\begin{gathered} 4\cdot W+4\cdot E=600 \\ W=E+3 \end{gathered}$

replacing:

$\begin{gathered} 4\cdot(E+3)+4\cdot E=600 \\ 4E+12+4E=600 \\ 8E=600-12 \\ E=\frac{588}{8} \\ E=73.5 \end{gathered}$

now,

$W=73.5+3=76.5$

The answer is 73.5 for eastbound and 76.5 for westbound