A plane averaged 800 mph on a trip going east, but only 400 mph on the return trip. The total flying time in both directions was 4.5 hr. What was the one-way distance?

Question

asked Feb 22, 2021 66.0k views

1 Answer

Armstrong · Answer 1 · 2021-02-28T20:58:04+0000

Answer:

1200 miles.

Explanation:

Let d represent one way distance.

We have been given that a plane averaged 800 mph on a trip going east, but only 400 mph on the return trip.

$\text{Time}=\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Speed}}$

The time taken while going east would be
(d)/(800) .

The time taken while returning back would be
(d)/(400) .

Since the total flying time in both directions was 4.5 hr, so we will equate sum of both times with 4.5 as:

(d)/(800)+(d)/(400)=4.5

Make a common denominator:

(d)/(800)+(d*2)/(400*2)=4.5

(d)/(800)+(2d)/(800)=4.5

(d+2d)/(800)=4.5

(3d)/(800)=4.5

(3d)/(800)* (800)/(3)=4.5* (800)/(3)

d=1.5* (800)/(1)

d=1200

Therefore, the one-way distance was 1200 miles.