Trains a and b are traveling in the same direction on parallel tracks;Train a is traveling 40mph and train b is traveling 50mph. Train A passes a station at 8:15 am. If train b passes the same station at 8:27 am what time will train b catch up to train a?

I know this is a distant rate a time question but cannot seem to write out the correct formula and arrive at a correct answer.

I posted this a while back and really need some guidance on this answer ...from a teacher.

I have already answered this question, including the feedback question, and am a teacher. It is easiest to solve in steps, using logic, rather than by trying to write down an equation.

See http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1263078373

for my other answer.

Did you post it under two different names?

To solve this question, you can use the distance, rate, and time formula. The formula is:

Distance = Rate * Time

Let's assign variables to the unknowns:
- Let 'd' be the distance between the station and the point where train B catches up to train A.
- Let 't' be the time it takes for train B to catch up to train A.

We know that the formula for train A is:
Distance(A) = Rate(A) * Time(A)
Distance(A) = 40 * (t + 12/60)
Distance(A) = 40 * (t + 0.2)

Similarly, the formula for train B is:
Distance(B) = Rate(B) * Time(B)
Distance(B) = 50 * t

Since train B catches up to train A at the same point, we can set the distances equal to each other:
Distance(A) = Distance(B)
40 * (t + 0.2) = 50 * t

Now, let's solve for 't':
40t + 8 = 50t (distribute the 40)
10t = 8 (subtract 40t from both sides)
t = 8/10 (divide both sides by 10)
t = 0.8 hours

So, it will take train B 0.8 hours to catch up to train A.

To find the time when train B catches up to train A, add the time it takes to the time train B passed the station:
8:27 am + 0.8 hours = 9:07 am

Therefore, train B will catch up to train A at 9:07 am.