Question

An airplane takes 3 hours to travel a distance of 2700 miles with the wind. The return trip takes 5 hours against the wind. Find the speed of the plane in still air and the speed of the wind.

Answer 1

• 720 mph, 180 mph

Explanation:

Let the speed of the plane is x, speed of the wind is y

Speeds add up when in directions are same and subtract when opposite

Then as per the given we have equations:

• 3( x + y) = 2700
• 5(x - y) = 2700

Simplify the equations:

• x + y = 900
• x - y = 540

Sum the two equations and solve for x:

• 2x = 900 + 540
• 2x = 1440
• x = 720 mph

Find the value of y:

• y = 720 - 540 = 180 mph

Speed of the plane is 720 mph

Speed of the wind is 180 mph