Now have 100 posts. Ask me anything!

[MRockwell]

A train traveling 50 mph left a station 30 minutes before a second train running at 55 mph. How soon did the second train overtake the first?

 

[White Squirrel]

I have been around longer than the OP and have considerably fewer posts, but if I may opine on my fellow southern Hoosier, I fear he may be both too sane and too intelligent to remain long on INGO.

 

[JCSR]

A train traveling 50 mph left a station 30 minutes before a second train running at 55 mph. How soon did the second train overtake the first?

5.5 hours

 

[eric001]

How about this one:

Why?

 

[JCSR]

How about this one:

Why?

Because I can.

 

[eric001]

Good answer! Though "because" would have been perfectly fine as well.

Beware of twigs n berries...

 

[BugI02]

5.5 hours

5.0 hours

50x + 25 = 55x

X is in units of time (hours since speed data is in mph). You are solving for the elapsed time when the two trains have traveled the same distance, counting from when the second train left

 

[femurphy77]

BONER DRONE AT 12 O'CLOCK!

 

[femurphy77]

5.0 hours

50x + 25 = 55x

X is in units of time (hours since speed data is in mph). You are solving for the elapsed time when the two trains have traveled the same distance, counting from when the second train left

It's a union train, your equation didn't take into consideration the mandatory 1/2 hour break!

 

[DataGeek19]

Will it snow in Indiana?

 

[BugI02]

It's a union train, your equation didn't take into consideration the mandatory 1/2 hour break!

You are correct sir! I foolishly thought the fire man on the diesel electric locomotive would take over during the break, since he wouldn't be busy; but of course that would generate an immediate grievance

 

[churchmouse]

 

[femurphy77]

Does Howdy Doody have wooden balls?

 

[Phase2]

Will it snow in Indiana?

Pffft... You think JCSR is a Magic 8-Ball?

 

[JCSR]

5.0 hours

50x + 25 = 55x

X is in units of time (hours since speed data is in mph). You are solving for the elapsed time when the two trains have traveled the same distance, counting from when the second train left

[FONT=&quot]I said, train kept a-rolling all night long
Train kept a-rolling all night long
Train kept a-rolling all night long
Train kept a-rolling all night long
With a heave, and a ho
My train takes no breaks!
Equation:
distance = distance
50x = 55(x-(1/2)
50x = 55x - (55/2)
-5x = -55/2
x = 11/2
x = 5 1/2 hrs (time at which the 2nd train overtakes the 1st train)[/FONT]

 

[JCSR]

Will it snow in Indiana?

The Magic 8 Ball say yes

Does Howdy Doody have wooden balls?

I refer to the Urban Dictionary.......

[FONT=&amp]A phrase used to [/FONT]expressthe answer[FONT=&amp] is [/FONT]yes[FONT=&amp].[/FONT][FONT=&amp]You wanna get high man?

Does Howdy Doody have wooden Balls man?

Thank you Cheek & Chong[/FONT]

 

[307SD]

#11

Excellent choice.

 

[Sigblitz]

Pffft... You think JCSR is a Magic 8-Ball?

The magic 8 ball would be more accurate than the weather man.

 

[JCSR]

The magic 8 ball would be more accurate than the weather man.

Yes, for the best weather report......look outside

 

[BugI02]

[FONT=&amp]I said, train kept a-rolling all night long
Train kept a-rolling all night long
Train kept a-rolling all night long
Train kept a-rolling all night long
With a heave, and a ho
My train takes no breaks!
Equation:
distance = distance
50x = 55(x-(1/2)
50x = 55x - (55/2)
-5x = -55/2
x = 11/2
x = 5 1/2 hrs (time at which the 2nd train overtakes the 1st train)[/FONT]

In that equation you are solving for the time that the first train is in motion, but the problem wants to know how long it takes the second train to make the intercept. You have that in your equation (x - (1/2))

thus (5.5 - 0.5) = 5.0


Edit: backtest Train one covers 50mph x 5.5 hrs = 275 miles. How long would it take a train going 55mph to cover the same distance? 275/55 = 5 hours