Question

Two airplanes leave an airport at the same time and travel in opposite directions. One plane travels 61 km/h slower than the other. If the two planes are 10458 kilometers apart after 6 hours, what is the rate of each plane?

Answer 1

one plane's rate = 841km/h. other plane's rate = 902km/h

Explanation:

Let's say one plane goes to the left and the other to the right.

call the planes L and R, respectively.

L travels at x km/h. R travels at (x + 61)km/h.

after 6 hours, L has travelled 6xkm. R has travelled 6(x + 61)

= (6x + 366)km.

they are 10458 km apart.

so, 6x + 6x + 366 = 10458

12x = 10092

x = 841.

plane L travels at rate of 841 km/h.

plane R travels at rate of 841 + 61 = 902 km/h.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Distance traveled by both the planes in 6hrs=10458

let x, x+61 be the speeds of both the planes

Distance traveled = speed*time

10458=(x*6) + [(x+61)*6}

10458=6x+(6x+366)

12x=10092

x=841