Expert: Bobby Soltani - 5/22/2005

Question
I AM STUCK ON HOW TO MAKE AN EQUATION FROM THIS WORD PROBLEM PLS HELP. PROBLEM: TWO TRAINS ARE 330 MILES APART AND THEIR SPEEDS DIFFER BY 20MPH. FIND THE SPEED OF EACH TRAIN IF THEY ARE TRAVELING TOWARD EACH OTHER AND WILL MEET IN 3 HOURS.

Answer
Hi LaShana,

We need to set up two equations from the information given.  First, we are told that their speeds differ by 20MPH.  We can write this as:

S1 - S2 = 20

Next, we know that they are 330 miles apart and will meet in 3 hours.  To get the distance, we can multiply the speed times the time.  So, we have:

S1*3 + S2*3 = 330 miles

Now, solve these two equations to get the answer.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby