Question

A train leaves orlando traveling at 87 mph toward miami which is 300 miles away. At the same time another train leaves miami traveling toward Orlando at 93 mph. When both trains leavea helicopter takes off in Orlando and starts flying in between the two trains at 120 mph. When it reaches a train it turns around and starts flying towards the other. Assuming that the helicopter can turn around instantaniously , how far has the helicopter traveled when the two trains meet?

Answer 1

I would first find out the time it takes to meet. This is relatively easy as we know that when they meet the sum of their distance traveled is 300 miles.
Let t = time
d=rt, 87t + 93t = 300 miles Solve for t
180t = 300, t=1 2/3 hour. Now we can figure out how much the helicopter traveled. Again d=rt. 120 x 5/3 = 200 miles. The part about the helicopter was thrown in the problem just to add confusion.

Answer 2

Thank you :)