How do I solve this?
A plane flies 400 miles from point A to point B in 50 minutes. It returns against the wind in 60 minutes.
Find the air speed of the plane and the rate of the wind.
Btw, it has to be done using substitution/eliminiation (algebra related)
October 7, 2012
4 Comments • Newest first
thank you all.
Same method as above.
But I converted mine to miles/hour
so x = speed of plane, y = speed of wind
400miles/(x+y) = 5/6
x+y = 480
and on the way back, 400/(x-y) = 1
x-y= 400
solve simultaneously..
you can add the 2 equations together
you get 2x = 880, x = 440 miles/hour
that means y = 40 miles/hour
Is it implied that the plane is travelling [b]with[/b] the wind from A to B?
Let x = speed of the plane, y = rate of the wind. Remembering that speed = distance/time
So, x=400/50=8miles/hr.
Then, 8-y=400/60.
y=8-(400/60)=4/3miles/hr.
Not sure this is right though.