Question

Not counting the "turn around" , a helicopter carrying passengers between an airport and the roof of a downtown skycraper 20 miles away can make the round trip in 15 minutes. The helicopter flies 2 miles away with the wind when the time it flies 1 mike againstnthe wind. What is the wind speed?

Answer 1

vw=velocity of wind
vh=velocity of helo

distance=velocity*time
20=(vh+vw)*timethere
20=(vh-vw)*time back

but time there+time back=15min
and time there=2*timeback
or timethere=5min
and time back=10 min

finally
20=(vh+vw)*5min
20=(vh-vw)*10min

or
4=(vh+vw)
2=(vh-vw)
subtracting second from first equation

2=2vw
velocity wind=1mi/min a very stiiff breeze...a cat 1 hurricane.
Curiously, vh=3mi/min or 180 mph. Hmmm, never saw a helo do that. Such is math.
Check my work.