1. ## System of Equations

Two planes leave Pittsburgh and Philadelphia at the same time. Each going to the other city. One plane flies 25mph faster than the other plane. Find the air speed of each plane if the cities are 275 miles apart and the planes pass each other after 40 minutes of flying time.

2. Originally Posted by ss103

Two planes leave Pittsburgh and Philadelphia at the same time. Each going to the other city. One plane flies 25mph faster than the other plane. Find the air speed of each plane if the cities are 275 miles apart and the planes pass each other after 40 minutes of flying time.
let $v$ = speed of slower plane in mph

$v+25$ = speed of the faster plane in mph

note that $40$ min = $\frac{2}{3}$ hr

(speed)(time) = distance

$v\left(\frac{2}{3}\right) + (v+25)\left(\frac{2}{3}\right) = 275$

solve for $v$

3. thanks! but we have to find the speed of each plane, separately. v is just the speed of one plane

Originally Posted by ss103

Two planes leave Pittsburgh and Philadelphia at the same time. Each going to the other city. One plane flies 25mph faster than the other plane. Find the air speed of each plane if the cities are 275 miles apart and the planes pass each other after 40 minutes of flying time.
Let the speed of first plane (which leaves Pittsburgh) = x mph
Let the speed of second plane = (x + 25) mph

Let the two planes pass each other at distance "y" from Pittsburgh, after 40 min.

So, distance travelled by first plane in 40 min = y
Speed = x
Time = 40 min = 40/60 h = 2/3 h

Distance = speed . Time

so, $y = x \times \frac{2}{3}$

$y = \frac{2}{3}\;x$

3y = 2x .....................................(1)

Now, distance travelled by second plane in 40 min = (275 - y)
Speed = (x + 25)
Time = 40 min = 40/60 h = 2/3 h

Distance = speed . Time

so, $275 - y = (x+25) \times \frac{2}{3}$

$275 - y = \frac{2}{3}\;(x+25)$

$3(275 - y) = 2(x+25)$

825 - 3y = 2x + 50

2x + 3y = 775 .................................(2)

Now, solve these two eqns (1) and (2). FINISH it.
The speeds of two planes will be 193.75 mph and 218.75 mph.