Question

An airplane flying with the wind can cover a certain distance in 2 hours. The return trip against the wind takes 2.5 hours. Find the average airspeed and wind speed, if the one-way distance is 600 miles.

Answer 1

Wind speed = 30 mph

Plane speed = 270 mph

Explanation:

Given that :

Distance = 600 miles

Let speed of airplane = a ; speed of wind = b

Net speed ; with wind = a + b

Net speed against wind = a - b

Time taken with wind = 2 hours

Time taken against wind = 2.5 hours

Recall :

Speed = distance / time ; distance = speed * time

(a + b) * 2 = (a - b) * 2.5

2a + 2b = 600

a + b = 300 - - - (1)

a = 300 - b

2.5a - 2.5b = 600

a - b = 240 - - - (2)

300 - b - b = 240

300 - 2b = 240

-2b = - 60

b = 30

a = 300 - 30

a = 270

Wind speed = 30 mph

Plane speed = 270 mph