BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑Tue Mar 10, 2020 7:15 am
Train A and Train B began traveling towards each other from opposite ends of a 500-mile long track at 1:00 PM. If Train A traveled at 35 miles per hour and Train B traveled at 25 miles per hour, at what time did the trains meet?
A. 5:40 PM
B. 6:00 PM
C. 7:20 PM
D. 8:00 PM
E. 9:20 PM
Answer:
E
Source: Veritas
Solution:
We are given that Trains A and B traveled toward each other at 1 p.m. and that Train A traveled at 35 miles per hour and Train B traveled at 25 miles per hour. We are also given that they started 500 miles apart.
We can let the time of each train = t hours. Thus, the distance of Train A is 35t and the distance of Train B is 25t.
Let’s create the following equation to determine t:
distance of Train A + distance of Train B = total distance
35t + 25t = 500
60t = 500
t = 500/60 = 50/6 = 25/3 = 8 ⅓ hours = 8 hours and 20 minutes.
Thus, the trains met at 1 p.m. + 8 hours and 20 minutes = 9:20 p.m.
Alternate Solution:
Since the trains are moving towards each other, the distance between the two trains will decrease by 35 + 25 = 60 miles each hour. Since they were 500 miles apart, it will take them 500/60 = 25/3 = 8 1/3 hours or, 8 hours 20 minutes to meet. Thus, the trains meet at 1 p.m. + 8 hours and 20 minutes = 9:20 p.m.
Answer: E
