Question

A pilot flew a 400-mile flight in 2.5 hours flying into the wind. Flying the same rate and with the same wind speed, the return trip took only 2 hours, with a tailwind.

What was the speed of the wind?

20
40
160
180

Answer 1

Let p be the plane's airspeed and w the wind speed.

400/(p - w) = 2.5 → p - w = 160
400/(p + w) = 2 → p + w = 200

Add: 2p = 360 → p = 180, so w = 200 - 180 = 20.

Answer: 20 mph.