SOLUTION: Two planes leave Chicago at the same time heading in opposite directions. The plane heading west has a tail wind and is going 25 mph faster than the other plane. If after one hou
Algebra ->
Customizable Word Problem Solvers
-> Travel
-> SOLUTION: Two planes leave Chicago at the same time heading in opposite directions. The plane heading west has a tail wind and is going 25 mph faster than the other plane. If after one hou
Log On
Question 189781: Two planes leave Chicago at the same time heading in opposite directions. The plane heading west has a tail wind and is going 25 mph faster than the other plane. If after one hour the planes are 575 miles apart, what are their speeds? Answer by ptaylor(2198) (Show Source):
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
Let r=rate of east bound plane
Then r+25=rate of west bound plane
Distance east bound plane travels=r*1
Distance west bound plane travels=(r+25)*1
The above two distances must add up to 575 mi, so:
r*1+(r+25)*1=575 or
r+r+25=575 subtract 25 from both sides
r+r+25-25=575-25 collect like terms
2r=550 divide each side by 2
r=275 mph---------------------------rate of east bound plane
r+25=275+25=300 mph-------------------rate of west bound plane
CK
275*1+300*1=575
575=575
