If two planes leave the same airport at 1:00 PM, how many miles apart will they be at 3:00 PM if one travels directly north at 150 mph and the other travels directly west at 200 mph?

If two planes leave the same airport at 1:00 PM, how many miles apart will they be at 3:00 PM if one travels directly north at 150 mph and the other travels directly west at 200 mph? Correct Answer 500 miles

The initial position of the plane along with their final positions will make a right - angled triangle and the hypotenuse of that triangle will be the direct distance between them at 3 pm. Now, travel time from 1 pm to 3 pm is 2 hours. So, distance covered towards North = 150 x 2 = 300 miles and towards west = 200 x 2 = 400 miles. Therefore, their direct distance = (3002 + 4002)1/2 = (90000 + 160000)1/2 = 2500001/2 = 500 miles.

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