Airplane Math Question?
I am having trouble with this problem: A plane flies 2400 miles in 6 hours, with a tailwind all the way. The return trip on the same route, now with a headwind, takes 8 hours. Assuming both remain constant, find the speed of the plane and the speed of the wind. Can someone please show me how to work the problem?
1 Answer
- RichardLv 79 years agoFavorite Answer
Let S = speed of plane and W = speed of wind
Distance = effective speed x time
For the journey out
2400 = (S + W) x 6
or
S + W = 2400 / 6 = 400
or
S = 400 - W
For the journey back
2400 = (S - W) x 8
or
S - W = 2400 / 8 = 300
or
S = 300 + W
Therefore as the plane's air speed is the same
300 + W = 400 - W
or
2 * W = 100
or
W = 50
Therefore S = 300 + 50 = 400 - 50 = 350
The Wind speed is 50 MPH
The plane's air speed is 350 MPH
The ground speed on the first leg is 400 MPH
The ground speed on the return leg is 300 MPH