A helicopter leaves Rogers airport and flies north at 180 mph. One hour later a plane leaves the airport and follows the helicopter at 330 mph. How long does it take the plane to catch up to the helicopter?

Question

anonymous · Answer

1.2 hours

anonymous · Answer

t = time in hours 
speed of helicopter * time + 1 hour is 180 * (t + 1) 
speed of plane * time is 330 * t 
set them equal to one another to find when they are at the same location. 
180 * (t + 1) = 330 * t 
solve for t 
180t + 180 = 330t 
180 = 330t - 180t 
150t = 180 
t = 180/150 
t = 1.2 hours