Problema Solution

Flying against the wind, a jet travels 5840 miles in 8 hours. Flying with the wind, the same hat travels 5350 miles in 5 hours. What is the rate of the jet in still air and what is the rate of the wind?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


w = the wind speed

v = the speed of the jet in still air

d1 = 5840 mi

t1 = 8 h

d2 = 5350 mi

t2 = 5 h


the speed of the jet with the wind is: v + w

the speed of the jet against the wind is: v - w


since speed=distance/time => distance = speed*time


flying against the wind:


(v - w)t1 = d1


(v - w)8 = 5840 divide both sides by 8


v - w = 730


flying with the wind:


(v + w)t2 = d2


(v + w)5 = 5350 divide both sides by 5


v + w = 1070


by solving the system of equations


v - w = 730

v + w = 1070


we find


v = 900 mph


w = 170 mph


click here to see the step by step solution of the system of equations


Click to see all the steps



the rate of the jet in still air is 900 mph.

the rate of the wind is 170 mph.