Question

Two planes, which are 2320 miles apart, fly toward each other. Their speeds differ by 80 mph. If they pass each other in 4 hours,what is the speed of each?Step 1 of 2: Use the variable x to set up an equation to solve the given problem. Set up the equation, but do not take steps to solve it.

Answer 1

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

1. Two planes, which are 2320 miles apart, fly toward each other.

2. Their speeds differ by 80 mph.

3. They pass each other in 4 hours.

To find the speed of each plane, we use the formula:

distance = (rate)(time)

Since they are flying towards each other, the sum of both speeds is 2x+80. So,

distance = (rate)(time)

2320 miles = (2x+80 mph)(4 hrs)

Thus, the equation to solve this is:

2320 = (2x+80)(4)