Question 445118:  A plane travels at a speed of 180 mph in still air.  Flying with a tailwind, the plane is clocked over a distance of 875 miles.  Flying against a headwind, it takes 1 hour more time to complete the return trip.  What is the wind velocity? 
 Answer by stanbon(75887)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! A plane travels at a speed of 180 mph in still air. Flying with a tailwind, the plane is clocked over a distance of 875 miles. Flying against a headwind, it takes 1 hour more time to complete the return trip. What is the wind velocity? 
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With-wind DATA: 
dist = 875 miles ; rate = 180+w mph ; time = 875/(180+w) hrs. 
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Against-wind DATA: 
dist = 875 miles ; rate = 180-w mph ; time =  875/(180-w) hrs 
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Equation: 
against time - with time = 1 hr 
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875/(180-w) - 875/(180+w) = 1 
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875(180+w) - 875(180-w) = (180^2-w^2) 
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875w+875w = 180^2-w^2 
---- 
w^2 + 1750w - 180^2 = 0 
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w = 18.32245...(wind speed) 
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Cheers, 
Stan H. 
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