Question

A small jet can fly 1,124 miles in 4 hours with a tailwind but only 956 miles in 4 hours into a headwind. Find the speed of the jet in still air (in mph) and the speed of the wind (in mph).

Answer 1

Explanation:

Let's call the speed of the jet in still air "j" and the speed of the wind "w". Then, we can set up the following system of equations:

j + w = 1124/4 = 281 (with the tailwind)

j - w = 956/4 = 239 (against the headwind)

We can solve this system using elimination. Adding the two equations eliminates w:

2j = 520

j = 260

Substituting j = 260 into one of the equations, we can solve for w:

260 + w = 281

w = 21

Therefore, the speed of the jet in still air is 260 mph and the speed of the wind is 21 mph.