document.write( "Question 818370: Any assistance with this word problem would be greatly appreciated.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "An airplane can fly with the wind a distance of 900 miles in 3 hours. However, the return trip against the wind takes 5 hours. Find the speed of the plane in still air and the speed of the wind.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "speed of the plane in still air _____________ mph\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "speed of the wind ___________________ mph
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Algebra.Com's Answer #492497 by LinnW(1048)\"\" \"About 
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An airplane can fly with the wind a distance of 900 miles in 3 hours. However, the return trip against the wind takes 5 hours. Find the speed of the plane in still air and the speed of the wind.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "speed of the plane in still air _____________ mph\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "speed of the wind ___________________ mph \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Using distance = rate x time
\n" ); document.write( "Set x = speed of plane with no wind
\n" ); document.write( " w = wind speed
\n" ); document.write( "We can say
\n" ); document.write( " (x+w)*3 = 900
\n" ); document.write( "and
\n" ); document.write( " (x-w)*5 = 900\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Rewriting the equations we have
\n" ); document.write( " 3(x+w) = 900
\n" ); document.write( " 5(x-w) = 900\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Distribute the left had sides
\n" ); document.write( " 3x + 3w = 900
\n" ); document.write( " 5x - 5w = 900
\n" ); document.write( "Multiply the top equation by 5
\n" ); document.write( "Multiply the bottom equation by 3
\n" ); document.write( " 15x + 15w = 4500
\n" ); document.write( " 15x - 15w = 2700
\n" ); document.write( "Add the two equations together
\n" ); document.write( " 30x = 7200
\n" ); document.write( "Divide each side by 30
\n" ); document.write( " x = 250
\n" ); document.write( "Substitute 250 into 3x + 3w = 900
\n" ); document.write( " 3(250) + 3w = 900
\n" ); document.write( " 750 + 3w = 900
\n" ); document.write( "Subtract 750 from each side.
\n" ); document.write( " 3w = 150
\n" ); document.write( " w = 50
\n" ); document.write( "So the airplane will travel at 250 mph with no wind.
\n" ); document.write( "The wind speed is 50 mph.\r
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