.
The equations are
u - v = , (1) (effective speed flying against the wind)
u + v = . (2) (effective speed flying with the wind)
where "u" is the plane' speed at no wind and "v" is the speed of wind.
Simplify (1) and (2):
u - v = 50, (3)
u + v = 60. (4)
Add equations (3) and (4). You will get
2u = 110 ----> u = = 55.
Thus we found the speed of the plane at no wind. It is 55 mph.
Now from equation (4) v = 60 - 55 = 5 mph.
Answer. The speed of the plane at no wind is 55 mph. The speed of wind is 5 mph.
Solved.
It is a typical "tailwind and headwind" word problem.
See the lessons
- Wind and Current problems
- Wind and Current problems solvable by quadratic equations
- Selected problems from the archive on a plane flying with and against the wind
in this site.
In these lessons you will find the detailed solutions of many similar problems.
Also, you have this free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I in this site
ALGEBRA-I - YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK.
The referred lessons are the part of this textbook under the section "Word problems", the topic "Travel and Distance problems".