SOLUTION: A pilot can fly a plane at 125 mph in calm air. A recent trip of 300 mi flying with the wind and 300 mi returning against the wind took 5 h. Find the rate of the wind

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: A pilot can fly a plane at 125 mph in calm air. A recent trip of 300 mi flying with the wind and 300 mi returning against the wind took 5 h. Find the rate of the wind      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 750630: A pilot can fly a plane at 125 mph in calm air. A recent trip of 300 mi flying with the wind and 300 mi returning against the wind took 5 h. Find the rate of the wind
Answer by lwsshak3(11628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A pilot can fly a plane at 125 mph in calm air. A recent trip of 300 mi flying with the wind and 300 mi returning against the wind took 5 h. Find the rate of the wind.
***
let x=rate of speed of wind
125+x=rate of speed with wind
125-x=rate of speed against wind
travel time=distance/rate of speed
..
300/(125+x)+300/(125-x)=5
divide by 5
60/(125+x)+60/(125-x)=1
LCD:(125+x)(125-x)
60(125-x)+60(125+x)=(125^2-x^2)
7500-60x+7500+60x=15625-x^2
15000=15625-x^2
x^2=625
x=25
rate of speed of wind=25 mph