Question

A pilot travel 450 miles with the wind in the same amount of time as 396 miles against the wind. Find the speed of the wind if the pilots speed in still air is 235 miles per hour The speed of wind is ?

Answer 1

Let x be speed of wind.

Speed of plane with the wind = 235 + x

Speed of plane against the wind = 235 - x

use the formula,

Distance = (Rate)(Time),

thus,

$Time=\frac{Distance}{Rate}$

Time to go 450 miles with wind = time to go 396 miles with wind

$\begin{gathered} \frac{450}{235+x}=\frac{396}{235-x} \\ 450(235-x)=396(235+x) \\ 105750-450x=93060+396x \\ 105750-93060=396x+450x \\ 12690=846x \\ x=15 \end{gathered}$

The speed of the wind is 15 mph.