document.write( "Question 850889: with the tailwind a bird flew at ground speed of 3 mph flying the same path against the same wind the bird travels at a ground speed of 1.5 mph what is the birds airspeed what is the wind speed
\n" ); document.write( "I have s=3+t but I just don't understand how to write the equations for systems of equations
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #512498 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
with the tailwind a bird flew at ground speed of 3 mph flying the same path against the same wind the bird travels at a ground speed of 1.5 mph
\n" ); document.write( " what is the birds airspeed
\n" ); document.write( " what is the wind speed
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Let w = the speed of the wind
\n" ); document.write( "Let s = the speed of the bird in still air
\n" ); document.write( "then
\n" ); document.write( "(s+w) = effective speed with the wind
\n" ); document.write( "and
\n" ); document.write( "(s-w) = effective speed against the wind
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Write an equation for each way
\n" ); document.write( "s + w = 3
\n" ); document.write( "s - w = 1.5
\n" ); document.write( "--------------addition eliminates w find s
\n" ); document.write( "2s = 4.5
\n" ); document.write( "s = 4.5/2
\n" ); document.write( "s = 2.25 mph is the bird airspeed
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Find the wind using the 1st equation
\n" ); document.write( "2.25 + w = 3
\n" ); document.write( "w = 3 - 2.25
\n" ); document.write( "w = .75 mph is the speed of the wind
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Check these solutions in the 2nd equation
\n" ); document.write( "2.25 - .75 = 1.5
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );