Two trains leave stations 230 miles apart at the same time and travel toward each other. One train travels at 85 miles per hour while the other travels at 70 miles per hour. How long will it take for the two trains to meet?

Solution

Tw o t r ain s l e a v e s t a t i o n s 230 mi l es a p a r t a t t h e s am e t im e an d t r a v e l t o w a r d e a c h o t h er . O n e t r ain t r a v e l s a t 85 mi l es p er h o u r w hi l e t h e o t h er t r a v e l s a t 70 mi l es p er h o u r . Ho w l o n g w i ll i t t ak e f or t h e tw o t r ain s t o m ee t ?

time : 1 \frac{15}{31}

Solution steps

Translate the problem into an equation:

85 x + 70 x = 230

Solve for

x, 85 x + 70 x = 230 : x = \frac{46}{31}

Convert improper fractions to mixed numbers

time : 1 \frac{15}{31}