The express train traveled at a rate of speed that was three times as fast as the freight train. The express train traveled 630 miles in just one hour less than it took the freight train to travel 360 miles. Find the rate of speed and the time for both the express train and the freight train.

Question

wasiqss · Answer

we can make two equations here

wasiqss · Answer

let speed of freight train be X km/h
let speed of express train be 3X km/h

wasiqss · Answer

you there

anonymous · Answer

Yes, just trying to work it out.

wasiqss · Answer

did you get the first step

anonymous · Answer

That's really still very confusing. Could you write the formula?

wasiqss · Answer

i mean speed for freight train = X miles/hour
speed for express traing=        3X miles/hour

anonymous · Answer

Yes, I get that. But I mean how would I be able to work that out properly?

wasiqss · Answer

ok i would tell you

wasiqss · Answer

suppose the frieght train took Y hours to travel 360 miles ok?

anonymous · Answer

Right

wasiqss · Answer

then Y= distance/speed alright?

wasiqss · Answer

where y =time

wasiqss · Answer

distance=360, speed = X ok?
hence Y=360/X

anonymous · Answer

So the speed of the express is 150 and the speed of the freight is 450. But I can't figure out the times.

wasiqss · Answer

dont be quick to get answers try to go step by step

wasiqss · Answer

:D

anonymous · Answer

Well I did ReTe = 360 | RfTf = 630 | Rf = 3Re | Tf = Te - 1
Then I substituted and that's how I found my answer for the speeds. But then when I went to work on the times, I can't seem to get it to fit together.

wasiqss · Answer

your answers are right? and method is right

anonymous · Answer

Yes, those first two are correct.

wasiqss · Answer

so now what you are stuck in

anonymous · Answer

Well following the answers I got... The times would have to be 1.4 and 2.4 - Right?

wasiqss · Answer

lol you made a dumb mistake :P the speed for frieght train=150, and for express it is 450 , now you ll get answer

anonymous · Answer

Eh... 1.25 and 4.2?

wasiqss · Answer

630/450= 1.4 right, that is for express
now 360/150=2.4 right, that is for freight, now you can see diffrence is of an hour

wasiqss · Answer

you got it

anonymous · Answer

Ha! Sorry, yes, I got it now. Thank-you.

wasiqss · Answer

lol hard earned medal it was :D