Question

write a system of equations for the problem, and then solve the system. if a plane can travel 340 miles per hour with the wind only 260 miles per hour against the wind, find the speed of the wind and the speed of the plane in still air. please show step by step

Answer 1

Answer:

Plane speed = 40 m/s.

Wind speed = 300 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the speed of the plane = Y

And the speed of the wind = X

If the plane then travel 340 miles per hour with the wind, that means the plane and the wind are moving in the same direction. Therefore,

X + Y = 340 ..... ( 1 )

Also, 260 miles per hour against the wind. That is, the plane is moving opposite to the direction of the wind. Therefore,

X - Y = 260 ..... ( 2 )

Solve the two equations simultaneously by addition. That will eliminate Y

X + Y = 340

X - Y = 260

2X = 600

X = 600/2

X = 300 m/s

Substitutes X in equation (1)

300 + Y = 340

Make Y the subject of formula by collecting the like terms

Y = 340 - 300

Y = 40 m/s

Therefore, the speed of the plane is 40 m/s. While the speed of the wind is 300 m/s.