Question

How would I solve this

Answer 1

Recall your d = rt, or distance = rate * time

the two planes, are 1180 miles apart
say plane A and plane B

two hours later, they pass each other
how long have both been flying by the time they passed each other?
well, 2 hrs
so the time for both is the same, 2

now, one is faster than the other, by 4 miles, say hmmm plane A, doesn't really matter, it could be either... but say A, so if A has a rate of "r",
B will have a rate of r-4, whatever "r" is

now, the distances travelled, say A travelled distance "d", whatever that is,
B, travelled the difference from 1180 and that, or 1180 - d
1180 is the total amount of miles apart, take away "d", and B travelled
1180 - d

thus $\bf \begin{array}{rccclll} &distance&rate&time(hrs)\\ &-----&-----&-----\\ \textit{first plane}&d&r&2\\ \textit{second plane}&1180-d&r-4&2 \end{array} \\\\\\ thus\implies \begin{cases} \boxed{d}=(r)(2)\\\\ 1180-d=(r-4)(2)\\ --------------\\\\ 1180-\boxed{(r)(2)}=(r-4)(2) \end{cases}$

solve for "r", to see A's rate

how fast was B going? well, r-4