Question

Two trains leave the station at the same time, one heading west and the other east. The westbound train travels 18 miles per hour slower than the eastbound train. If the two trains are 480 miles apart after 3 hours, what is the rate of the westbound train?

Answer 1

Answer:

69 mph.

Step-by-step explanation:

Eastbound train:

time = 3 hrs, rate = x mph, distance = 3x miles

Westbound train:

time = 3 hrs ; rate = x-18 ; distance = 3x-54 miles

3x+3x-54=480

6x=534

x=89 (rate of the eastbound train)

To find the rate of the westbound train:

x-20

89-20

69

The rate of the westbound train is 69 miles per hour.