Question

an air traffic controller is tracking two planes. to start, plane a was at an altitude of 1500 meters, and plane b was at an altitude of 1115 meters. plane a is gaining altitude at 19 meters per second, and plane b is gaining altitude at 26 meters per second. let x be the number of seconds that have passed. (a) for each plane, write an expression for the altitude of the plane after x seconds. altitude of plane a (in meters) = \boxed{} altitude of plane b (in meters) = \boxed{} (b) write an equation to show when the two planes would be at the same altitude. \boxed{}

Explanation:

Step1: Define Plane A's altitude

Altitude = initial + rate×time
$1500 + 19x$

Step2: Define Plane B's altitude

Altitude = initial + rate×time
$1115 + 26x$

Step3: Set altitudes equal

Equate the two expressions
$1500 + 19x = 1115 + 26x$

Answer:

(a)
Altitude of Plane A (in meters) = $1500 + 19x$
Altitude of Plane B (in meters) = $1115 + 26x$
(b)
$1500 + 19x = 1115 + 26x$