SOLUTION: Two planes, which are 2160 miles apart, fly toward each other. Their speeds differ by 40mph. If they pass each other in 4 hours, what is the speed of each?

Question 1149233: Two planes, which are 2160 miles apart, fly toward each other. Their speeds differ by 40mph. If they pass each other in 4 hours, what is the speed of each?

Answer by greenestamps(13203) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Using algebra....

Let the speeds be x and x+40. Then

Solve using basic algebra....

Using logical analysis and simple mental arithmetic....

The combined speed is 2160/4 = 540.
If the two speeds were the same, they would each be 270; 270+270=540.
To get two speeds that differ by 40mph, add 20mph to one speed and subtract 20mph from the other.

ANSWER: 270+20 = 290mph and 270-20 = 250mph

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