SOLUTION: An airplane took 2.5 hours to fly 625 miles with the wind. It took 4 hours and 10 minutes to make the return trip against the same wind. Find the wind speed and the speed of the

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Question 328411: An airplane took 2.5 hours to fly 625 miles with the wind. It took 4 hours and 10 minutes to make the return trip against the same wind. Find the wind speed and the speed of the plane in still air. (Show all work)
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, josmiceli:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
An airplane took 2.5 hours to fly 625 miles with the wind. It took 4 hours and 10 minutes to make the return trip against the same wind. Find the wind speed and the speed of the plane in still air.
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625 miles/2.5 hrs = 250 mph
625 miles/(4 1/6) hrs = 625/(25/6) = 150 mph
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The "speed in still air" is the airspeed, and is the average
= (250+150)/2 = 200 mph
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The windspeed is the difference: 250 - 200 = 50 mph

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You need 2 equations, one going with the wind
and one going against the wind
Let w = wind speed
Let a = speed of plane in still air
given:
with the wind:
t%5B1%5D+=+2.5 hrs
d+=+625 mi
against the wind:
t%5B2%5D+=+4.1667
d+=+625 mi
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625+=+%28a%2Bw%29%2A2.5
625+=+%28a-w%29%2A4.1667
This is 2 equations with 2 unknowns, so it's solvable
(1) 625+=+2.5a+%2B+2.5w
(2) 625+=+4.1667a+-+4.1667w
Multiply both sides of (1) by 4.1667%2F2.5
and add (1) and (2)
I can't find my calculator, so you can do it