Answer the Following:

Question

When small airplane flies with the wind, it can travel 450 miles per 3 hours. When the same airplane flies in the opposite direction against the wind, it takes 5 hours to cover the same distance. Find the average speed of the airplane in still air.

Answer 1

Rate x Time = Distance

Airplane rate plus wind = 150 mph [450/3]

Airplane rate minus wind = 90 mph [450/5]

Add simultaneous equations so 2 x Airplane rate = 240 mph [150+90]

Airplane rate = 120 mph and average wind speed = 30 mph