SOLUTION: A plane flies 900 miles with a tail wind in 3 hours.It takes the same plane 2 hours to fly the 300 miles when flying against the wind. What is the plan's speed in still air?

Question 459117: A plane flies 900 miles with a tail wind in 3 hours.It takes the same plane 2 hours to fly the 300 miles when flying against the wind. What is the plan's speed in still air?
Answer by oberobic(2304) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The basic distance equation is:
d = rt
.
We are told that flying with the tailwind
900 = r*3
r = 300
BUT
r = speed of the plane + speed of the tailwind
.
We are told flying with the headwind
300 = r*2
r = 150
BUT this time,
r = speed of the plane - speed of the wind
.
Assuming the wind is constant...which is important.
.
We can define:
s=speed of the plane
w=speed of the wind
.
Substitute what we know:
s+w = 300
s-w = 150
.
Add the linear equations.
2s = 450
.
Solve for s
s = 225
.
Substitute to solve for w
w = 75
.
Check by substituting these value to see if you get the correct distance.
.
3(225+75) = ??
3(300) = 900
Right
.
2(225-75) = ??
2(150) = 300
Right
.
Re-read the question to see what answer is required.
.
Answer: The plane's speed in still air is 225 miles/hr.
.
Done.
RELATED QUESTIONS
A plane flies 900 miles with a tail wind in 3 hours. It takes the same plane 4 hours to... (answered by checkley71)

a plane flies 900 miles with a tail wind, in 3 hours. It takes the same plane 4 hours to (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

A plane flies 300 miles with a tail wind in 1 hour. It takes the same plane 2 hours to... (answered by stanbon)

A plane flies 300 miles with a tail wind in 1 hour. It takes the same plane 2 hours to... (answered by ptaylor)

A plane flies 900 miles with a tail wind in 3 hours. It rakes the same plane 4 hours to... (answered by Alan3354)

A plane flies 600 miles with a tail wind in 2 hours. It takes the same plane 4 hours to... (answered by lwsshak3)

Please help me answer this question: A plane flies 900 miles with a tail wind in 3... (answered by richwmiller)

A plane flies 900 miles, with a tail wind, in 3 hours. It takes the same plane 5 hours to (answered by Paul)