Problema Solution
A turboprop plane flying with the wind flew 720 mi in 3 h. Flying against the wind, the plane required 4 h to travel the same distance. Find the rate of the wind and the rate of the plane in calm air.
Answer provided by our tutors
let
w = the rate of the wind
v = the rate of the plane in calm air
d = 720 mi
t1 = 3 h
t2 = 4 h
since distance = speed*time we have
Flying with the wind the speed of the plane is: v + w
v + w = 720/3
v + w = 240
Flying against the wind the speed of the plane is: v - w
v - w = 720/4
v - w = 180
by solving the system of equations:
v + w = 240
v - w = 180
we find:
v = 210 mph
w = 30 mph
click here to see the step by step solution of the equation:
the rate of the wind is 30 mph/
the rate of the plane in calm air is 210 mph.