SOLUTION: Two planes are 6,000 miles apart, and their speeds differ by 200 mph. They travel toward each other and meet in 5 hours. Find the speed of hte slower plane.

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Question 102770This question is from textbook Beginning & Intermediate Algebra
: Two planes are 6,000 miles apart, and their speeds differ by 200 mph. They travel toward each other and meet in 5 hours. Find the speed of hte slower plane. This question is from textbook Beginning & Intermediate Algebra

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
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Two planes are 6,000 miles apart, and their speeds differ by 200 mph. They travel toward each other and meet in 5 hours. Find the speed of the slower plane.
:
Let t = speed of the slower plane
then
(t+200) = speed of the faster plane
:
The travel time of the planes are the same; (5 hrs)
:
Write a distance equation: Distance = time * speed
:
Fast plane dist + slow speed dist = 6000
5(s+200) + 5s = 6000
5s + 1000 + 5s = 6000
10s = 6000 - 1000
10s = 5000
s = 5000/10
s = 500 mph is the slow plane
:
Check solution
Fast plane: 500 + 200 = 700 mph
5*700 + 5*500 =
3500 + 2500 = 6000 miles