Question

Joe flew his small airplane 1000 km in 4 hours flying with the wind. He flew 700 km against

the wind in 7 hours. Find the rate at which he flew in still air and the rate of the wind.

Answer 1

To solve this problem, we can set up the following system of equations:

Let x be the rate at which Joe flew in still air and y be the rate of the wind.

1000 km / 4 hours = x + y

700 km / 7 hours = x - y

Solving this system of equations using the elimination method, we get:

x + y = 250

x - y = 100

Adding these two equations together, we get 2x = 350, so x = 175 km/hour.

Subtracting the second equation from the first equation, we get 2y = 150, so y = 75 km/hour.

Therefore, the rate at which Joe flew in still air is 175 km/hour and the rate of the wind is 75 km/hour.

Explanation: