Distance-Rate-Time Word Problem?

Question

A cattle train left Miami and traveled toward New York.  14 hours later a diesel train left Miami traveling at 45km/h in an effort to catch up to the cattle train.  After traveling for four hours, the diesel train finally caught up.  What was the cattle train's average speed?

I know the answer is 10 km/h, but how do you come up with that answer?

I have several of these problems and I know the answers, but I need to find out how to do it so that I can figure it out myself.

thanks!

petevanderwaal · Accepted Answer

OK here we go!

Let's start with the diesel train, shell we? This train travels at 45 km/h, so in 4 hours it would have done 180 Km. Agree? OK.

The Cattle Train has been on the go for 18 hours, (14+4) and traveled the same distance. Therefore, as you point out correctly, the cattle train has done 10 km/h, Like 180/18 (equals 10).

I hope I was able to help you understand the problem.

Keep up the good work, study and have fun

Tom · Answer

Let D = the distance the cattle train traveled
R = the average speed of the cattle train (km/h)
T = the time the cattle train traveled

Let d = the distance the freight train in need of steaks traveled
r = the average speed of the freight train (km/h)
t = the time the freight train traveled

Given in the problem:
T = 18
d = D
t = 4
r = 45

So if d = rt and D = RT
rt = RT
45 x 4 = 18R
18R = 180
R = 10

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Distance-Rate-Time Word Problem?

2 Answers