Find the speed of the plane.

Question

Mattie Evans drove 100 miles in the same amount of time that it took a turbo propeller plane to travel 480 miles. The speed of the plane was 190 mph faster than the speed of the car. Find the speed of the plane.

Answer 1

Let x = speed of car

Then, x + 190 = speed of plane

Distance = (Rate)(Time), Time = Distance/Rate

Since the times are equal, we have 100 / x = 480 / (x + 190)

So, 480x = 100(x + 190)

480x = 100x + 19000

380x = 19000

x = 50 mph (speed of car)

x + 190 = 240 mph (speed of plane)