document.write( "Question 380432: A plane traveled a distance of 800 miles and returned the same distance. If the rate returning is 40 miles per hour faster than the rate going, and if the total flight took 8 hours, how fast did the plane travel on the return trip? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #269988 by stanbon(75887)![]() ![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! A plane traveled a distance of 800 miles and returned the same distance. If the rate returning is 40 miles per hour faster than the rate going, and if the total flight took 8 hours, how fast did the plane travel on the return trip? \n" ); document.write( "-------- \n" ); document.write( "Going DATA: \n" ); document.write( "distance = 800 miles ; rate = x mph ; time = 800/x hrs \n" ); document.write( "---- \n" ); document.write( "Return DATA: \n" ); document.write( "distance = 800 miles ; rate = (x+40) mph ; time = 800/(x+40) hrs \n" ); document.write( "--------------------- \n" ); document.write( "Equation: \n" ); document.write( "time + time = 8 hrs. \n" ); document.write( "800/x + 800/(x+40) = 8 \n" ); document.write( "800(x+40) + 800x = 8x(x+40) \n" ); document.write( "1600x + 32000 = 8x^2+320x \n" ); document.write( "8x^2- 1280x -32000 = 0 \n" ); document.write( "x^2 - 160x - 4000 = 0 \n" ); document.write( "Positive solution: \n" ); document.write( "x = 181.98 mph \n" ); document.write( "x+40 = 221.98 mph (return leg speed) \n" ); document.write( "====================== \n" ); document.write( "Cheers, \n" ); document.write( "Stan H. \n" ); document.write( " |