SOLUTION: an airplane covers a distance of 1500 miles in three hours when it flies with the wind and 31/3 hours when it flies against the wind. what is the speed of the plane in still air?

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Question 323498: an airplane covers a distance of 1500 miles in three hours when it flies with the wind and 31/3 hours when it flies against the wind. what is the speed of the plane in still air?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let P be the plane speed in still air, W be the wind speed.
Rate*Time=Distance
%28P%2BW%293=1500
1.P%2BW=500
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.
.
%28P-W%29%2810%2F3%29=1500
2.P-W=450
Add eq. 1 and eq. 2 to eliminate W.
P%2BW%2BP-W=500%2B450
2P=950
P=475mph
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.
.
Then use either equation to solve for W.
475%2BW=500
W=25mph