An express and local train leave Gray's Lake at 3pm and heads for Chicago 50 miles away.?

Question

The express travels twice as fast as the local, and arrives 1 hour ahead of it. Find the speed of each train.

I need help in writing this problem as an equation and solving it. I am no good at word problems. Please help!!!

Answer 1

Let speed of local be x miles/ hr

So, speed of express is 2x miles/ hr

Time taken by local = 50/x hr

Time taken by express = 50/2x hr

50/x - 50/2x = 1

so, 50/x - 25/x = 1

so, 25/x = 1

so, x = 25 miles/ hr

Speed of local = 25 miles/ hr

Speed of express = 50 miles/ hr