Two trains leave a train station at the same time. One travels east at 10 miles per hour. The other train travels west at 9 miles per hour. In how many hours will the two trains be 85.5 miles apart

let the time be t hours

so 10t + 9t = 85.5

I will let you finish it.

4.5 hours

To find out how long it will take for the two trains to be 85.5 miles apart, we need to determine how much distance they cover in one hour.

The first train is traveling east at a speed of 10 miles per hour. This means that it covers a distance of 10 miles in one hour.

The second train is traveling west at a speed of 9 miles per hour. Similar to the first train, it also covers a distance of 9 miles in one hour.

Since the two trains are moving in opposite directions, the combined distance they cover in one hour is the sum of their individual distances: 10 miles + 9 miles = 19 miles.

To calculate the time it will take for the two trains to be 85.5 miles apart, we can divide the given distance by the combined distance they cover in one hour. So, 85.5 miles ÷ 19 miles/hour = 4.5 hours.

Therefore, the two trains will be 85.5 miles apart after 4.5 hours.