An airplane takes 3 hours to travel a distance of 1560 miles with the wind. The return trip takes 4 hours against the wind. Find the speed of the plane in still air and the speed of the wind.

Question

An airplane takes 3 hours to travel a distance of 1560 miles with the wind. The return trip takes 44

hours against the wind. Find the speed of the plane in still air and the speed of the wind.

Answer 1

Let P=plane speed in still air and W=wind speed

(P+W)*3 = 1560

(P-W)*4=1560

Divide the first equation by 3 and the 2nd equation by 4

P+W=520

P-W=390

Add the 2 equations to eliminate W and solve for P.

The go back and get W from W=520-P

You do the arithmetic!