A plane goes 20 miles away to an airpot. It takes 40 minutes to get there. The return trip takes 20 minutes. What is the speed of the wind (in miles per hour)?

Question

A small plane takes off and heads directly upwind to an airport 20 miles away. It takes 40 minutes to get there. The return trip takes 20 minutes. What is the speed of the wind (in miles per hour)?

 

Answer 1

IIada, d = rt, so r = d/t right? The plane went the same distance each direction.

 

p - w = 20/40 = 1/2

p + w = 20/20 = 1

 

Adding the two equations together...

 

2p = 1 1/2

p = 3/4

 

3/4 - w = 1/2

w = 1/4