Question

Flying with the wind, a pilot flew 600 mi between two cities in 4 h. The return trip against the wind took 5 h. Find the rate of the plane in calm air and the rate of the wind. Please show work. thanks

Answer 1

Distance (times) rate (times) time

Let p represent the speed of the plane in still air

Let w represent the speed of the wind

600= (p+w)(4)
600= (p-w)(5)

600 divided by 4= 150= p+w
600 divided by 5= 120= p-w

150+120= 270=2p
--- ---
divide 2 2

=135 =p

p+w= 150
135+w= 150
-135 -135
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w = 15

The speed of the plane in still air is 135 mph.

The speed of the wind is 15 mph.