A passenger plane and a jest leave at the same time from the same airport, traveling in opposite directions. The jet travels at twice the speed of the passenger plane. They are 2400 miles apart in 4 hours. Find the speed of the passenger plane and jet.
Let the speed of the passenger plane be x mph, then the speed of the jet is 2x mph
The both went for 4 hours, so the
passenger plane went 4x miles
the jet went 4(2x) or 8x miles
So isn't 4x+8x = 2400 ???
etc.
To solve this problem, we can set up an equation using the concept of relative speed. Let's assume the speed of the passenger plane is "x" miles per hour. Since the jet travels at twice the speed of the passenger plane, its speed is "2x" miles per hour.
The total distance between the two planes is 2400 miles, and they travel in opposite directions. In 4 hours, the passenger plane and jet cover a combined distance of 2400 miles.
To find the speed of each plane, we can use the formula:
Distance = Speed × Time
For the passenger plane:
2400 = x × 4
Simplifying the equation:
2400 = 4x
Dividing both sides by 4:
600 = x
The speed of the passenger plane is 600 miles per hour.
For the jet:
2400 = 2x × 4
Simplifying the equation:
2400 = 8x
Dividing both sides by 8:
300 = x
The speed of the jet is 1200 miles per hour.