Algebra word problem

Question

Two planes leave an airport at the same time and fly in opposite directions. One of the planes is flying at 450 mph, and the other plane is flying at 550 mph. In how many hours will they be 2000 miles apart?

Answer 1

Hi Jackie,

 

both planes take t hours to travel from the starting point

distance = speed*time

450t + 550t = 2000

1000t = 2000,        t = 2

It will be 2 hours for the planes to be 2000 miles apart

 

Bonus

Plane traveling at 450 mph covers 450*2 = 900 miles

Plane traveling at 550 mph covers 550*2 = 1100 miles