SOLUTION: Two planes left at the same time from two airports which are 4500 miles apart and flew toward each other. In five hours they passed each other. The rate of the fast plane was tw

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: Two planes left at the same time from two airports which are 4500 miles apart and flew toward each other. In five hours they passed each other. The rate of the fast plane was tw      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 258228: Two planes left at the same time from two airports which are 4500 miles apart and flew toward each other. In five hours they passed each other. The rate of the fast plane was twice the rate of the slow plane. Find the rate of each plane.
Algebraic solutions only. Thank you!

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Two planes left at the same time from two airports which are 4500 miles apart and flew toward each other. In five hours they passed each other. The rate of the fast plane was twice the rate of the slow plane. Find the rate of each plane.
-----------------------------------------------
Slow plane DATA:
rate = x mph ; time = 5 hrs. ; distance = rt = 5x miles
-------------------------
Fast plane DATA:
rate = 2x mph ; time = 5 hrs. ; distance = rt = 10x miles
-------------------------
Equation:
distance + distance = 4500 miles
5x + 10x = 4500
15x = 4500
x = 300 mph (slower plane rate)
2x = 600 mph (faster plane rate)
=====================================
Cheers,
Stan H.