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A train leaves Boston to Fort Lauderdale traveling at $125$ mph. An hour later, another train leaves Fort Lauderdale traveling to Boston at a rate of $140$ mph. When the two trains meet each other, which is closer to Boston?

I did $d=rt$ where $d=$ distance, $r=$ rate, and $t=$ time. The rate is $125+140=265.$ The time is $1$ hour. So the distance is $265*1=265.$ Based on the distance and the speed, I would say that the first train is closer.

I also noticed in this riddle problem no distance was given. Could this be a question that you can not answer without the distance?

Can someone help me with this problem? Is there a certain way to find the solution and to think about this? I am not to sure.

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  • $\begingroup$ What is the distance between Boston and Fort Lauderdale? $\endgroup$
    – Sherlock Holmes
    Oct 2, 2014 at 1:41
  • $\begingroup$ @SherlockHolmes I noticed that this riddle question that I found did not give the distance. I was wondering can this question still be answered. $\endgroup$
    – col
    Oct 2, 2014 at 1:47
  • $\begingroup$ @SherlockHolmes I suppose not since there is no exact distance from the question. I think we can make estimates on the distances but it would not be correct. $\endgroup$
    – col
    Oct 2, 2014 at 1:48
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    $\begingroup$ Of course they are the same distance from Boston. Or Paris. $\endgroup$
    – André Nicolas
    Oct 2, 2014 at 1:49
  • $\begingroup$ Nice pickup @AndréNicolas! Didn't see that until I reread the question :P. $\endgroup$
    – Sherlock Holmes
    Oct 2, 2014 at 1:51

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When they meet, they are at the same distance from Boston. Or Paris. No distance needed. No speeds needed. No times needed.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thank you. I noticed that after I looked at the distance part of the question when they meet each other. They will be the same distance in Boston or Paris. It is the same. $\endgroup$
    – col
    Oct 2, 2014 at 1:59

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