Two trains leave the depot at the same time, one traveling east and the other traveling west. The speed of one train is 14 mph slower than the other. If after 3 hours the distance between the trains is 150 miles, find the speed of each train.
A) 18 mph; 32 mph
B) 17 mph; 33 mph
C) 20 mph; 30 mph
D) 19 mph; 31 mph

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The speed of the slower train is x mph, so the speed of the faster train is x + 14 mph. After 3 hours, the slower train has traveled 3x miles and the faster train has traveled 3(x + 14) miles. The distance between the trains is 3(x + 14) - 3x = 150 miles. Solving for x gives x = 18 mph, so the speed of the slower train is 18 mph and the speed of the faster train is 18 + 14 = 32 mph.

Two Trains Leave the Depot at the Same Time, One