SOLUTION: a small plane can travel at 110 mph in calm air. flying with the wind, the plane can fly 260 miles in the same amount of time it takes to fly 180 miles against the wind. fine the r

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Question 693156: a small plane can travel at 110 mph in calm air. flying with the wind, the plane can fly 260 miles in the same amount of time it takes to fly 180 miles against the wind. fine the rate of the wind
Answer by DrBeeee(684) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let w = wind speed, mph
Let t = time to travel, hr
Use the following two equations to solve for w then t.
(1) (110 + w)*t = 260 and
(2) (110 - w)*t = 180
You should get
(3) w = 20 mph and
(4) t = 2 hr
Answer: The rate of the wind is 20 mph.
If you need help solving (1) and (2), just divide (1) by (2) and get
(5) (110 + w)/(110 - w) = 260/180 or
(6) 110 + w = 13/9*(110 - w) or
(7) 990 + 9*w = 13*110 - 13*w or
(8) 22*w = 1100 + 330 - 990 or
(9) 22*w = 440 or
(10) w = 20