Solved on Jan 29, 2024

The two airplanes will be at the same altitude in 464003200+2600\sqrt{\frac{46400}{3200 + 2600}} minutes, when their altitude will be 2320023200 feet.

STEP 1

Assumptions
1. The descending airplane starts at 46,400 feet above the ground.
2. The descending airplane descends at a rate of 3,200 feet per minute.
3. The ascending airplane starts at ground level (0 feet).
4. The ascending airplane ascends at a rate of 2,600 feet per minute.
5. We are looking for the time at which both airplanes will be at the same altitude.

STEP 2

Let's denote the time at which the two airplanes will be at the same altitude as tt (in minutes).

STEP 3

The altitude of the descending airplane after tt minutes can be described by the following equation:
Altitudedescending=46,4003,200tAltitude_{descending} = 46,400 - 3,200t

STEP 4

The altitude of the ascending airplane after tt minutes can be described by the following equation:
Altitudeascending=2,600tAltitude_{ascending} = 2,600t

STEP 5

To find the time when both airplanes are at the same altitude, we set the altitudes equal to each other:
46,4003,200t=2,600t46,400 - 3,200t = 2,600t

STEP 6

Combine like terms by adding 3,200t3,200t to both sides of the equation:
46,400=3,200t+2,600t46,400 = 3,200t + 2,600t

STEP 7

Combine the terms on the right side of the equation:
46,400=5,800t46,400 = 5,800t

STEP 8

Solve for tt by dividing both sides of the equation by 5,8005,800:
t=46,4005,800t = \frac{46,400}{5,800}

STEP 9

Calculate the value of tt:
t=46,4005,800=8t = \frac{46,400}{5,800} = 8

STEP 10

Now that we have the time tt, we can find the altitude at which both airplanes will be at the same altitude. We can use either the descending or ascending airplane's altitude equation. Let's use the ascending airplane's altitude equation:
Altitudeascending=2,600tAltitude_{ascending} = 2,600t

STEP 11

Plug in the value of tt into the altitude equation:
Altitudeascending=2,600×8Altitude_{ascending} = 2,600 \times 8

STEP 12

Calculate the altitude:
Altitudeascending=2,600×8=20,800Altitude_{ascending} = 2,600 \times 8 = 20,800
The two airplanes will be at the same altitude in 8 minutes, when their altitude will be 20,800 feet.

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