Question

an airplane travels 600 miles against the wind in 5 hours, and makes the return trip with the same wind in 2 hours. find the rate of the wind.

Answer 1

The speed of wind is 75 miles / hour

Explanation:

Let's assume

speed of airplane is x miles /hour

speed of wind is y miles /hour

An airplane travels 600 miles against the wind in 4 hours

against wind means resultant speed will be less

so, speed =x-y

total distance traveled in 4 hour is

and this has to be equal to 600

Divide both sides by 4

makes the return trip with then same wind in 2 hours

with wind means resultant speed will be more

so, speed =x+y

total distance traveled in 2 hour is

and this has to be equal to 600

Divide both sides by 2

So, we get system of equations

now, we can solve it by adding both equations

now, we can solve for x

now, we can find y by plugging x into any one equation