Basic Math Help

Question

A plane flying the 3458-mi from New York City to London has a 40-mph tailwind. The flight's point of no return is the point at which the flight time required to return to New York is the same as the time required to continue to London. If the plane's speed in still air is 840 mph, how far is New York from the point of no return?

Answer 1

Let x be the point of no return.

 

x/(840 - 40) = (3458 - x)/(840 + 40)

 

The point of return is 1651.43 miles from New York. Remember that when the pilot got to the point of return, he would have to fly back against the wind.