It's 1870 and the Transcontinental Railroad has just been completed. 
A Central Pacific steam locomotive leaves San Francisco at 15 miles per hour at 3 p.m., September 1, heading east.
A Union Pacific steam locomotive leaves New York City at 20 miles per hour at 3 p.m., September 1, heading west.
The length of track between the two stations is approximately 3,500 miles. The trains do not make any stops along the way.
At 3 p.m., September 1, a bird leaves New York City, following the tracks, at 25 miles per hour. It flies until it reaches the eastbound train, when it instantly reverses direction.
When it reaches the westbound train, the bird reverses course again, and flies back to the eastbound train. The cycle repeats until the bird is killed in a fiery, catastrophic train wreck.
How many miles did the bird fly? When do the trains collide? (Be specific!)
|
Comments rated to be Good Answers:
Comments rated to be "almost" Good Answers: