An airplane has a speed of 400 km/h with no wind. The airplane flies 2140 km with the wind. The airplane can only fly 1860 km against the wind in the same time. If w equals the speed of the wind, make an equation that can be used to find w?

Question

An airplane has a speed of 400 km/h with no wind.  The airplane flies 2140 km with the wind.  The airplane can only fly 1860 km against the wind in the same time.  If w equals the speed of the wind, make an equation that can be used to find w?

R_scott · Answer

time = distance / rate ... the times are the same 2140 / (400 + w) = 1860 / (400 - w) (2140 * 400) - 2140 w = (1860 * 400) + 1860 w 400 (2140 - 1860) = 4000 w