A bomber takes off and flies at 500kph. A fighter, setting out 2 1/2 hrs later flies at 750kph. How long will it take for the fighter to catch the bomber, and how far will the bomber have travelled at this time?
The basic formula for a rate/distance/time formula is
rate x time = distance
bomber: 500 k/hr x (t+2.5)hours = distance
(t=time, and the bomber flew 2.5 hours longer than the fighter)
fighter: 750 k/hr x t hours = distance
Since the two distances are the same, the two equations are equal to each other:
500 x (t+2.5) = 750 x t
Now solve for t to find fighter's time.
Next, add 2.5 hours to the fighter's time to find the bomber's time. Now you can find the bomber's distance by multiplying his time by his rate of 55 kph.