Question

Two jets leave at the same time and fly in opposite directions. One is heading west 50 mph faster than the other flying east. After 2 hours they are 2500 miles apart. Find each of their speeds.

Answer 1

Let's assume

speed of second jet is x mph

we are given

One is heading west 50 mph faster than the other flying east

so, speed of second jet is x+50

they are moving in opposite direction

now, we will find distance travelled by them after 2 hours

Distance travelled by second jet after 2 hours:

we know that

distance =speed*time

so,
`d_1=x*2`

so,
`d_1=2x`

Distance travelled by first jet after 2 hours:

we know that

distance =speed*time

so,
`d_2=(x+50)*2`

so,
`d_1=2x+100`

now, we can find total distance

so,
`d=d_1+d_2`

`d=2x+2x+100`

we are given that distance as 2500

so, we can set it to 2500

`2500=2x+2x+100`

now, we can solve for x

`4x=2400`

`x=600`

so,

speed of second jet is 600 mph

speed of first jet is 650 mph.................Answer