Problema Solution

Two planes leave an airport at the same​ time, one flying​ east, the other flying west. The eastbound plane travels 120

mph slower. They are 3800

mi apart after 5

hr. Find the speed of each plane

Answer provided by our tutors

Let

v = the speed of the eastbound plane

v + 120 = the speed of the westbound plane

t = 5 hr the time of the travel

d = 3,800 mi the distance between the planes

Since distance = speed*time we have:

vt + (v + 120)t = d

5v + 5(v + 120) = 3800

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click here to see the equation solved for v

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v = 320 mph

v + 120 = 320 + 120 = 440 mph

The speed of the eastbound plane is 320 mph.

The speed of the westbound plane is 440 mph.