Problema Solution

steve flew his experimental plane 56.26 km with the wind in 45 minutes. The return trip took 75 minutes with no change in the wind. What was the wind speed?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


v = the speed of the plane when there is not wind

w = the speed of the wind


the speed with the wind is: v + w

the speed against the wind is: v - w


d = 56.26 km the distance the plane flew in one direction

t1 = 45 min = 45/60 = 0.75 hours the time the plane flew with the wind

t2 = 75 min = 1.25 hours the time the plane flew against the wind


by formula speed = distance/time => distance = speed*time we have


(v + w)*t1 = d


(v - w)*t2 = d


that is we have system of equations


(v + w)*0.75 = 56.26

(v - w)*1.25 = 56.26


by solving it we find


v = 60.0106 km/h


w = 15.0027 km/h


the speed of the wind is 15.0027 km/h.