Final answer:
Upon calculation, the speed of the slower plane is 460 mph and the faster plane is 500 mph, but these speeds do not match the provided options, indicating a discrepancy in the question or provided answer choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve the problem of determining the speed of each plane, we must set up an equation using the information given. We know two planes are traveling toward each other and that they are 720 miles apart. One plane travels 40 miles per hour faster than the other. Since they pass each other after 0.75 hours, we can use the formula distance = speed × time to set up our equations.
Let's denote the speed of the slower plane as s mph. Therefore, the speed of the faster plane is s + 40 mph. Since they are moving towards each other, their combined speed is s + (s + 40) = 2s + 40 mph. Now we can create the equation:
720 miles = (2s + 40) mph × 0.75 hours
By solving this equation:
- 720 = 1.5s + 30
- 690 = 1.5s
- 460 = s
So, the speed of the slower plane is 460 mph, and the speed of the faster plane is 460 + 40 = 500 mph. However, none of the options provided in the question match these speeds. Therefore, either there is a mistake in the provided options or in the given problem parameters.