SOLUTION: It takes a plane 20 hours to fly to its destination against the wind. The return trip takes 16 hours. If the plane’s average speed in still air is 500 miles per hour, what is the

Algebra ->  Systems-of-equations -> SOLUTION: It takes a plane 20 hours to fly to its destination against the wind. The return trip takes 16 hours. If the plane’s average speed in still air is 500 miles per hour, what is the       Log On


   

Question 298160: It takes a plane 20 hours to fly to its destination against the wind. The return trip takes 16 hours. If the plane’s average speed in still air is 500 miles per hour, what is the average speed of the wind during the flight?
Answer by amoati(11) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let's assume that the distance is X in miles
plane average speed in still air = Y which is 500 miles per hour
wind average speed = Z
Then the return trip is done in stil air so X = Y * Treturn which means:
X = 500 * 16 = 8000 mile
Then when the plane is flying against the wind
X = (Y-Z) * T
8000 = (500-Z) * 20
400 = 500 - Z ==> Z = 100
So the wind average speed is 100 mile per hour