What is the velocity of each plane after three hours?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two airplanes departing from Dallas and flying in opposite directions, with one plane traveling 80 mph faster than the other. After three hours, the planes are reported to be 2940 miles apart, and the original poster seeks to determine the velocity of each plane.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between velocity, time, and distance, suggesting that the total distance covered by both planes can be represented as a single plane traveling the combined speed. There are questions about how to set up the equations correctly and what variables to use for the speeds of the planes.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using the equation for distance and suggested ways to express the speeds of the planes in terms of a variable. There is an acknowledgment of the original poster's uncertainty regarding the problem type, and attempts are being made to clarify the setup without providing direct solutions.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses concern about their understanding of the problem type and the potential repercussions of asking for help from their teacher. There is a mention of homework rules that discourage providing complete solutions, which influences the nature of the guidance offered.

thovia
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Homework Statement


Two airplanes leave Dallas at the same time and fly in opposite directions. one plane flies 80mph faster than the other. After three hours, they are 2940 miles apart. What is the velocity of each plane?


Homework Equations


I don't know what equation to use!


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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you should use velocity * time = distance

To lessen your confusion on how to use this equation, just pretend you have one plane going as fast as both planes together that travels a total of 2940 miles in three hours.
 


xcvxcvvc said:
you should use velocity * time = distance

To lessen your confusion on how to use this equation, just pretend you have one plane going as fast as both planes together that travels a total of 2940 miles in three hours.

Thank you soooooooooo much! I never learned how to solve this kind of problem and I'm afraid my physics teacher will eat me if I ask.
 


thovia said:
Thank you soooooooooo much! I never learned how to solve this kind of problem and I'm afraid my physics teacher will eat me if I ask.

No problem. Just make sure if you use v(total) * t = d and solve for v(total) that you then set v(total) [the thing we just solved for] equal to x + (x + 80) where x would represent the slower plane's speed. Alternatively, you could use that substitution in the first equation like so: (x + (x + 80)) * t = d ---> (2x + 80) * t = d. When you solve for x, you again get the speed of the slower plane. Adding 80, of course, then gives you the faster plane's speed.

I didn't want to spell it out like this before, because it's against the rules to supply solutions. People are just supposed to guide users.
 

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