Question

flying with the wind, a light aircraft traveled 260 miles in 2 hours. the aircraft then turned against the wind and traveled another 135 miles in 1.5 hours. find the speed of the airplane and the speed of the wind.

Answer 1

solution

We can do this problem using the formula Distance=speed*time

Let X=speed of the the airplane

Y=speed of the wind

now speed of the airplane with the wind =X+Y

speed of the airplne against the wind = X-Y

Now distance =speed *time

260 = (X+Y)*2 X+Y =260/2  X+Y =130 equation ..(1)

135 =(X-Y) *1.5 X-Y =135/1.5 X-Y= 90 equation ...(2)

solve equation (1) and (2) by subtitution method

X+Y =130

X=130-Y Equation (3) Substitute (3) in equation(2)

130-Y-Y =90

130-2Y=90

-2Y=90-130

-2Y =-40

Y=-40/-2=20

Y =20 now substitute inequation(3)

X=130-20

=110

speed of airplane =110 miles/hour

speed of wind = 20 miles/hour