Question

Problem PageQuestion Flying against the jetstream, a jet travels 3050 miles in 5 hours. Flying with the jetstream, the same jet travels 3800 miles in 4 hours. What is the rate of the jet in still air and what is the rate of the jetstream?

Answer 1

Answer: the rate of the jet in still air is 685 mph and the rate of the jetstream is 75 mph

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x represent the rate of the jet in still air.

Let y represent the rate of the jet jetstream.

Distance = speed × time

Flying against the jetstream, a jet travels 3050 miles in 5 hours. This means that the total speed of the jet would be (x - y) mph. Therefore,

3050 = 5(x - y)

3050/5 = x - y

x - y = 610 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1

Flying with the jetstream, the same jet travels 3800 miles in 4 hours. This means that the total speed of the jet would be (x + y) mph. Therefore,

3800 = 4(x + y)

3800/5 = x + y

x + y = 760 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -2

Adding equation 1 to equation 2, it becomes

2x = 1370

x = 1370/2 = 685mph

Substituting x = 685 into equation 1, it becomes

685 - y = 610

y = 685 - 610 = 75mph