Question 738780
we use rate * time = distance and we have the two equations

6*rate = 72  and
8*rate = 72

so the two rates are 12 mph with the wind and 9 mph against the wind

this tells us that the wind is 3 mph 

now in the formula 6*12=72, the wind contributes 3*6=18 miles

subtract 18 from 72 and we get 54 and

we now have 6 * r = 54 or the rate of the pigeon in still air is 9 mph