<PRE><B>Question 177581</B>
A six passenger plane cruises at 180 mph in calm air. if the plane flies 7 miles with the wind in the same amount of time as it flies 5 miles against the wind, then what is the wind speed?
-------------
Downwind DATA:
distance = 7 mi ; rate = 180+w ; time = d/t = 7/(180+w)
---------------------
Upwind DATA: 
distance = 5 mi ; rate = 180-w ; time = d/t = 5(180-w)
---------------------
Equation:
time = time
7/(180+w) = 5/(180-w)
7*180 - 7w = 5*180 + 5w
12w = 2*180
w = 30 mph (speed of the wind)
---------------------------------
Cheers,
Stan H.



</PRE>