SOLUTION: A helicopter leaves the air station going 180 mph. 30 minutes later an airplane leaves going 330 mph. How many minutes until the airplane catches up with the helicopter? I set i

Question 723260: A helicopter leaves the air station going 180 mph. 30 minutes later an airplane leaves going 330 mph. How many minutes until the airplane catches up with the helicopter?
I set it up as 180x=330(x-30). I don't think it is right though. If you could please help solve this and give the steps too I would be very grateful. Thanks :)
Answer by Alan3354(69443) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A helicopter leaves the air station going 180 mph. 30 minutes later an airplane leaves going 330 mph. How many minutes until the airplane catches up with the helicopter?
I set it up as 180x=330(x-30).
Solve for x, see if it's right.
180x = 330x - 990
-150x = -990
x = 99/15 = 6.6 hours
Seems like a long time.
----------------------
30 mins = 0.5 hours
d = r*t = 180*0.5 --> the helicopter is 90 miles away when the plane starts
---
The plane "gains on" the h/c at 150 mi/hr (330 - 180)
t = d/r = 90/150
t = 0.6 hours
t = 36 minutes

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