SOLUTION: A jet plane traveling at 500 mph overtakes a propeller plane traveling at 200mph that had a 2-hour head start. How far from the starting point are the planes?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: A jet plane traveling at 500 mph overtakes a propeller plane traveling at 200mph that had a 2-hour head start. How far from the starting point are the planes?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 203274: A jet plane traveling at 500 mph overtakes a propeller plane traveling at 200mph that had a 2-hour head start. How far from the starting point are the planes?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A jet plane traveling at 500 mph overtakes a propeller plane traveling at
200mph that had a 2-hour head start.
How far from the starting point are the planes?
:
find the travel times, then find the distance from that
t = travel time of the jet
(t+2) = travel time of the prop
:
When the jet overtakes the prop, they will have traveled the same distance
Write a distance equation Dist = speed * time
:
500t = 200(t+2)
500t = 200t + 400
500t - 200t = 400
300t = 400
t = 400%2F300
t = 4%2F3, or 11%2F3 hrs
:
Find the dist: 4%2F3 * 500 = 666.67 mi, dist of the jet
Check the dist: 10%2F3 * 200 = 666.67 mi, dist of the prop