Flying with the wind, a light aircraft traveled 240 miles in 2 hours. The aircraft then turned against the wind and traveled another 135 miles in 1.5 hours. Find the speed of the airplane.

Answer 1

2(x+y) = 240

1.5(x-y) = 135 --> 15(x-y) = 1350 -->x-y = 90 --> x = y+90

2(y+90+y) = 240

2(2y+90) = 240

2y + 90 = 120

2y = 30

y = 15

x = 105

the speed of the plane is 105

the speed of the wind is 15

Answer 2

plane speed = 105 mph, wind speed = 15 mph

2(p+w) = 240

2p +2w = 240

1.5(p-w) = 135

3p-3w = 270

3p+3w = 360

6p = 630

p = 105 mph for the plane speed

w= 120-p = 120-105 = 15 mph for wind speed

2(120 =240

1.5(90) = 135