<PRE><B>Question 279584</B>
Flying with a tailwind, a pilot flew an airplane 450 miles in 2.5 hours. Flying into a headwind, the return trip took 3 hours. Find the speed of the plane in calm air and the speed of the wind. What is the speed of the plan and what is the speed of the wind.
------
With Wind:
distance = 450 miles ; time = 2.5 hrs ; rate = 450/2.5 = 180 mph
-------------------------
Against Wind:
distance = 450 miles ; time = 3 hrs ; rate = 150 mph
---------------------------
p + w =180
p - w = 150
-----------------
2p = 330
p = 165 mph (speed of the plane in still air)
-----
Since p+w = 180, w = 15 mph (speed of the wind)
======================================================
Cheers,
Stan H.</PRE>