document.write( "Question 1137002: A transcontinental supersonic plane flies the 3,510 miles from New York to London in 2 hrs and 36 minutes. If the plane had an average air speed of 1,200 mi/he, determine the average wind speed and state whether it was a head wind or a tailwind \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #754833 by ikleyn(52878) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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document.write( "The \"distance\" equation is\r\n" );
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document.write( "3510 = (x + 1200)*,   or, equivalently\r\n" );
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document.write( "3510 = (x + 1200)*2.6                  (2.6 = 2.6 hours = 2 hours and 36 minutes)\r\n" );
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document.write( "Hence,\r\n" );
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document.write( "    x =  = 150 miles per hour.\r\n" );
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document.write( "Thus the wind speed is 150 miles per hour. It is tailwind.     ANSWER \r\n" );
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document.write( "I solved the problem formally, but I do not think that in reality such a flight would be allowed:  150 mph is a hurricane speed.\r\n" );
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