Question

A commercial jet can fly 1,320 miles in 3 hours with a tailwind but only 1,170 miles in 3 hours into a headwind. Find the speed of the jet in still air and the speed of the wind.

Answer 1

Jet: 415 mph

Wind: 25 mph

Explanation:

If x is the speed of the jet in still air, and y is the speed of the wind, then:

x + y = 1320 / 3 = 440

x − y = 1170 / 3 = 390

Solve the system of equations with substitution or elimination. Using elimination:

2x = 830

x = 415

y = 25