SOLUTION: Problem: Plane #1 leaves city A at a speed of 350 mph flying east and a Plane #2 leaves city B at a speed of 450 mph flying west. The distance between the two cities is 1000 mi

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Question 833134: Problem:
Plane #1 leaves city A at a speed of 350 mph flying east and a Plane #2 leaves city B at a speed of 450 mph flying west. The distance between the two cities is 1000 miles. How long does it take for the two planes to reach the same distance? What is the distance of each plane from their original starting point?
How long (time = t) does it take for the two planes to reach the same distance?
What is the distance of each plane from their original starting point?
Equation: Distance = (Speed) * (Time)
Equation: Distance = (Distance #1) + (Distance #2)
City A​ City B
|< ----------------------------------DT = 1000 miles ---------------------------------- > |

Plane #1 @ 350 mph
​ (D1)
| ---------------------------------- > |
​ (t)
​Plane #2 @ 450 mph
​(D2)
​ | ß--------------------------------------------------- |
​ (t)

Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
What same distance? Taking your question just as you asked, the planes reach the same distance for time at which the distance of eastbound and westbound planes are equal.

Using Rate*Time=Distance
Eastward: 350%2At=d
Westward: 450%2At=d
Find t for when 350t=450t
The question is nonsense. These two planes will not reach the same distance of travel at the same time.


One of the questions often asked for a travel uniform-rates problem similar to this one is, where or when do the two planes meet: The Where, being how far from A to B or from B to A; and the When, being for how long do the planes fly if started at the same time until they meet. Here is how this could be handled:

______________speed___________time___________distance
eastward______350_____________t______________350t
westward______450_____________t______________450t
Total________________________________________1000

You obtain sum of distances, 350t%2B450t=1000
800t=1000
t=10%2F8=5%2F4
t=1%261%2F4 hour, from which you can calculate either plane's distance.