Algebra 2 question, help please!?

Question

Write an equation to solve each problem:

Two planes left an airport at noon. One flew east at a certain speed and the other flew west at twice the speed. The planes were 2700 mi apart in 3 h. How fast was each plane flying?

Answer 1

600 and 300 mph.

They are 2700 miles apart. One is twice as far as the other (since it was traveling twice as fast), so divide 2700 by 3. One plane has gone 1/3 (900), and the other has gone 2/3 (1800). Now, divide both by 3 to find how many mph (300 and 600).

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Let x = the slow plane's speed (in mph)

2x = the fast plane's speed (also in mph)

The rate at which they are moving apart is x + 2x = 3x

Using the formula distance = rate * time

R = D/T

3x = 2700/3

3x = 900

x = 300 mph (the plane flying east)

2x = 600 mph (the plane flying west)