what is the speed of the wind

Question

an airplane can travel 355 mph in still air. if it travels 2562 miles with the wind in the same length of time it travels 2408 miles against the wind, what is the speed of the wind

Answer 1

time = distance/speed = d/v

 

w = wind speed

 

With the wind,

 

t = 2562/(355 + w)

 

Against the wind, 

 

t = 2408/(355 - w)

 

The times are the same, so

 

2562/(355 + w) = 2408/(355 - w) ⇒

 

355 + w = (2562/2408)(355 - w)

 

Solve for w and get

 

w = 11 mph