Question 449750
On your way out on the trail, you are rollerblading against the wind.
 On your return trip, which is the same distance, you are rollerblading with the wind.
 You can only travel 3 miles an hour against the wind, which is blowing at a constant speed. 
You travel 8 miles an hour with the wind. 
:
Seems like they are making this more complicated than necessary
:
Let s = speed with no wind
Let w = speed of the wind
:
Write an equation with the wind and an equation against the wind
s + w = 8
s - w = 3
---------------add these two equation, eliminates w, find s
2s + 0 = 11
2s = 11
s = {{{11/2}}}
s = 5.5 mph when there is no wind
then
5.5 + w = 8
w = 8 - 5.5
w = 2.5 mph is the wind
therefore
5.5 + 2.5 = 8 mph with the wind
and
5.5 - 2.5 = 3 mph against