Question

Two planes, which are 3950 miles apart. fly toward each other. Their speeds differ by 40 mph. If they pass each other in 5 hours, what is the speedof each?Answer How to enter your answer (opens in new window) 3 PointsKeypad

Answer 1

Given the word problem, we can deduce the following information:

1. The two planes are 3950 miles apart.

2. Their speeds differ by 40 mph.

3. Time =5 hours

To determine the speed of each plane, we first let:

x= speed of the fist plane

x+40 =speed of the second plane

Based on the above information, the combined speed is 2x+40. Our equation would be:

`2x+40=(3950)/(5)`

Next, we find the value of x:

`\begin{gathered} 2x+40=(3950)/(5) \\ \text{Simplify and rearrange} \\ 2x+40=790 \\ 2x=790-40 \\ 2x=750 \\ x=(750)/(2) \\ \text{Calculate} \\ x=375 \end{gathered}`

Hence,

x= speed of the fist plane=375 mph

x+40 =speed of the second plane=375+40= 415 mph