SOLUTION: A plane filies 480 milies in an easternly direction, with the wind, in 4 hours, returning westernly along the same route, against the wind. The plane takes 6 hours. What is the ra

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: A plane filies 480 milies in an easternly direction, with the wind, in 4 hours, returning westernly along the same route, against the wind. The plane takes 6 hours. What is the ra      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 891896: A plane filies 480 milies in an easternly direction, with the wind, in 4 hours, returning westernly along the same route, against the wind. The plane takes 6 hours. What is the rate of the plane in still air and what is the rate of the wind?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39631) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
r for speed in still air
w for speed of the wind

_________________________speed_________time________distance
EASTERN__________________r+w___________4__________480
WESTERN__________________r-w___________6__________480

The basic uniform rates travel relationship can be easily used RT=D rate time distance,
to form two linear equations:

_________________________speed_________time___________distance
EASTERN__________________r+w___________4_______________(r+w)*4=480
WESTERN__________________r-w___________6_______________(r-w)*6=480

The eastern equation is simplifiable to highlight_green%28%28r%2Bw%29=120%29;
and the western equation into highlight_green%28%28r-w%29=80%29.
Solve for r and w.