SOLUTION: Kevin flies(in his private plane) from Los Angeles to San Franciso, a distance of 450 miles, in 3 hours. He flies back in 2 7/19 hours. If the wind is blowing from the north at a s

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: Kevin flies(in his private plane) from Los Angeles to San Franciso, a distance of 450 miles, in 3 hours. He flies back in 2 7/19 hours. If the wind is blowing from the north at a s      Log On


   

Question 670469: Kevin flies(in his private plane) from Los Angeles to San Franciso, a distance of 450 miles, in 3 hours. He flies back in 2 7/19 hours. If the wind is blowing from the north at a steady rate during both flights, find the airspeed of the plane and the velocity of the wind.
Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Plane speed =x mph
wind speed =y mph
against wind 3 hours
with wind 45/19 hours

Distance against 450 miles distance with wind 450 miles
t=d/r against wind -
450 / ( x - y )= 3
3 ( x - y ) = 450
3 x - 3 y = 450
x-y=150....................1

450 / ( x + y )= 45/19
45/19 ( x + y ) = 450
45/19 x + 45/19 y = 450
x+y=190...............2
add the two equations (1) & (2)
2x=340
/2
x=170 speed of plane
Therefore speed of wind = 20 mph