Question

A small plane flew 200 mph with a 40 mph tailwind for 480 miles. The plane returned home at a speed of 200 mph with a 40 mph headwind for 480 miles. How much longer did the flight home take?

Answer 1

1 hour

Step-by-step explanation:

The tailwind usually adds to the speed of airplanes while the headwind normally decreases the speed of airplanes.

For the initial journey of 200 mph with a 40 mph tailwind speed for 480 miles:

Total speed = 200 + 40 = 240 mph

Also,

Speed = distance/time

time = 480/240 = 2 hours

For the return journey of 200 mph with a 40 mph headwind for 480 miles:

Total speed = 200 - 40 = 160 mph

time = 480/160 = 3 hours

The initial flight took 2 hours while the flight back home took 3 hours. Hence it took 1 hour longer to get back home