SOLUTION: Traveling against the wind , a plane flies 2,100 miles from Chicago to San Diego in 4 hours and 40 minutes. The return trip, flying with a wind that is blowing twice as fast, takes

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Question 912737: Traveling against the wind , a plane flies 2,100 miles from Chicago to San Diego in 4 hours and 40 minutes. The return trip, flying with a wind that is blowing twice as fast, takes four hours. Find the rare of the plane in still air.


Can you please help me . I just don't understand this problem at all.

Answer by josgarithmetic(39616) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
r, rate of plane in still air
w, speed of wind when going against it
2w, speed of wind when going WITH it

Use the time values as HOURS. Here is a data table with as much information as possible put:

_________________rate___________time_____________distance
AGAINST__________r-w____________4%262%2F3____________2100
WITH_____________r+2w___________4________________2100

The uniform rates travel rule is RT=D rate time distance. Use the rule to make the two needed equations and solve for r and w.