Find the rate of the wind

Question

An airplane travels 1,800 miles from Los Angeles to Chicago in 3.6 hours, going with the wind. The return trip takes 4 hours and is against the wind. Find the rate of the airplane with no wind. Find the rate of the wind.

Answer 1

1800/3.6 = 500 mph

1800/4 = 450 mph

 

The plane is aided by the wind there and hampered on the way back.

 

a + w = 500

a - w = 450

 

Adding the two together...

 

2a = 950

a = 475

 

I bet you can find w!