SOLUTION: A private jet had been flying for 2 hours when it encountered strong head winds which reduced its speed by 40 miles per hour. If it took the plane 5 hours to travel 1,380 miles, fi

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: A private jet had been flying for 2 hours when it encountered strong head winds which reduced its speed by 40 miles per hour. If it took the plane 5 hours to travel 1,380 miles, fi      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 541113: A private jet had been flying for 2 hours when it encountered strong head winds which reduced its speed by 40 miles per hour. If it took the plane 5 hours to travel 1,380 miles, find its speed before flying into the head winds. ( Hint : Let x = speed of jet during first 2 hours of flight.)
Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let x be the speed before the head wind started.
distance traveled = 2x
Total distance = 1380 miles
Distance traveled with head wind = 1380-2x
speed = x-40
2+(1380-2x)/(x-40)= 5
multiply equation by (x-40)
2(x-40)+1380-2x=5(x-40)
2x-80 +1380-2x=5x-200
5x=1500
x= 300 mph