SOLUTION: a twin engine aircraft can fly 720 miles from a city "a" to a city "b" in 4 hours with the wind and make a return in 6 hours against the wind. what is the speed of the wind?

Question 511994: a twin engine aircraft can fly 720 miles from a city "a" to a city "b" in 4 hours with the wind and make a return in 6 hours against the wind. what is the speed of the wind?
Answer by oberobic(2304) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
d = r*t is the fundamental distance equation.
.
Fly to B:
r = airspeed + wind speed = (a + w) mph
t = 4 hr
d = 720 mi
.
Return to A:
r= airspeed -wind speed = (a - w) mph
t = 6 hr
d = 720 mi
.
6a - 6w = 720
4a + 4w = 720
.
12a - 12w = 1440
12a + 12w = 2160
-----------------
0a -24w = -720
.
w = 30 = wind speed
.
substitute w=30 to find airspeed
.
6a - 6(30) = 720
6a = 720 + 180
6a = 900
.
a = 150 = airspeed
.
Check to see if it can cover the distances in the correct times.
.
(150-30)*6 = ??
120*6 = 720
correct
.
(150+30)*4 = ??
(180)*4 = 720
correct
.
Answer: The wind speed is 30 mph.
.
Done.
RELATED QUESTIONS
A twin engined aircraft can fly 960 miles from City A to city B in 4 hours with the wind... (answered by richwmiller)

A twin engined aircraft can fly 1120 miles from city A to city B in 5 hours with the wind (answered by jorel1380)

a twin engined aircraft can fly 816 miles from one city to another in 3 hours with the... (answered by lwsshak3)

a twin-engined air craft can fly 1200 miles from city a to city b in 5 hours with the... (answered by checkley77)

I can't remember how to do these? I know it's rate times time = distance, but I come up... (answered by robertb,mananth)

An aircraft can fly 714 miles from city a to city b in 3 hours with the wind and makes... (answered by Alan3354)

Solve the problem by using two equations with two variables: A twin-engined aircraft... (answered by scott8148)

a twin-engined air craft can fly 1200 miles from city a to city b in 5 hours with the... (answered by stanbon)

I am truly confused by word problems. Please help. This is the question. A... (answered by Alan3354,jojo14344)