document.write( "Question 176343: A jet plane traveling at a rate of 550 mph overtakes another plane that had a 3 hour head start and is traveling at a rate of 250 mph. How far from the starting point does the jet overtake the other plane? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #131436 by ptaylor(2198) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Distance(d) equals Rate(r) times Time(t) or d=rt; r=d/t and t=d/r\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "let t=time required for second plane to catch the first\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Distance first plane travels=3*250+250t (remember, three hour head start)
\n" ); document.write( "Distance 2nd plane travels=550t\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now when the above two distances are equal, the second plane will have overtaken the first, so:
\n" ); document.write( "3*250+250t=550t or
\n" ); document.write( "750+250t=550t subtract 250t from each side
\n" ); document.write( "750+250t-250t=550-250t collect like terms
\n" ); document.write( "300t=750 divide each side by 300
\n" ); document.write( "t=2.5 hours---------------time required for 2nd plane to overtake first\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "distance first plane travels=750+250*2.5=1375 mi
\n" ); document.write( "distance 2nd plane travels=550*2.5=1375 mi\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Does this help??------ptaylor \n" ); document.write( "

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