Sarah W. answered • 01/27/16
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Since they're heading in opposite directions, the rate at which they're moving apart are the rates of each plane added together.
They move 4636.75 miles in 4 hours and 15 minutes (or 4.25 hours).
So they move apart at a rate of 4636.75/4.25 mph = 1091 mph.
But they say that the rate of Plane A is 47mph MORE than the rate of Plane B.
So
(rate of Plane A) + (rate of Plane B) = (47 + rate of Plane B) + (rate of Plane B) = 1091
Use this to find the rate of Plane B.
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Respond if any problems.
Paul W.
Nevermind I figured it out, thanks :D
I just multiplied the rates of the planes by 4.25
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01/27/16
Sarah W.
I'm getting the rate of Plane B to be 522 which would make the rate of Plane A 569. So your numbers are close...I think the way you're probably doing it (you're taking half of 1091 and then adding half of 47 to it to get one and then taking half of 47 away to get the other?) is clever, but make sure you halve 1091 and 47 correctly first. Half of 47 is 23.5 and half of 1091 is 545.5.
Just in case, another way to see this is (I'm going to let R be the rate of Plane B) that
1091 = (47 + R) + R = 47 + 2R
Something you can solve outright for R and then add 47 to to get the speed of the other one.
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01/27/16
Paul W.
01/27/16