Question

the speed of a passenger train is 16mph faster than the speed of a freight train. The passenger train travels 290 miles in the same time it takes the freight train to travel 210 miles. Find the speed of each train

Answer 1

freight speed = x
passenger speed = x+16
x/210 = (x+16)/290
290x=(210)(x+16)
290x=210x+3360
80x=3360
x=42
speed of freight is 42mph
speed of passenger is 42+16 or 58 mph.
Proof: 210/42 = 5 and 290/(42+16)=5
both are equal so this proves answer of 42 mph and 58 mph.