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flying against the wind an airplane travels 6840 kilometers in 9 hours. Flying with the wind, the same plane travels 10,080 kilometers in 8 hours. What is the rate of the plane in still air and what is the rate of the wind?

User Ojen
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Final answer:

The plane's rate in still air is 1010 km/h and the wind's rate is 250 km/h, calculated using two equations derived from distance, rate, and time for flying against and with the wind.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the rate of the plane in still air and the rate of the wind, we can set up a system of equations based on the information given. Let p be the speed of the plane in still air, and w be the speed of the wind.

Flying Against the Wind

When flying against the wind, the speed of the plane relative to the ground is p - w. Considering the formula distance = rate × time, the equation for flying against the wind for 9 hours is:

6840 km = (p - w) × 9 hours (1)

Flying With the Wind

When flying with the wind, the speed of the plane relative to the ground is p + w. The equation for flying with the wind for 8 hours is:

10080 km = (p + w) × 8 hours (2)

Solving the System of Equations

Now, we can solve the system of equations (1) and (2) simultaneously:

From equation (1), p - w = 6840 km/9 hours

= 760 km/h

From equation (2), p + w = 10080 km/8 hours

= 1260 km/h

Adding these two equations together, we get:

2p = 760 km/h + 1260 km/h

2p = 2020 km/h

p = 1010 km/h (Speed of plane in still air)

Substituting the value of p back into equation (1) or (2):

w = 1260 km/h - p

w = 1260 km/h - 1010 km/h

w = 250 km/h (Speed of wind)

The rate of the plane in still air is 1010 km/h, and the rate of the wind is 250 km/h.

User Afuc Func
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