Solve.
-A jet plane traveling at a constant speed goes 1200 miles with the wind, then turns around and travels for 1000 miles against the wind. If the speed of the wind is 50 mph and the total flight took 4 hours, find the speed of the
Plane in still air.
A)435 mph
B)525 mph
C)550 mph
D)605 mph

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Let the speed of the plane in still air be x mph.

When the plane is flying with the wind, its effective speed is (x+50) mph.

Similarly, when the plane is flying against the wind, its effective speed is (x-50) mph.

We know that time taken to travel 1200 miles with the wind + time taken to travel 1000 miles against the wind = 4 hours.

Using the formula time = distance/speed, we get:

1200/(x+50) + 1000/(x-50) = 4

Multiplying throughout by (x+50)(x-50), we get:

1200(x-50) + 1000(x+50) = 4(x+50)(x-50)

Expanding and simplifying, we get:

2200x = 22000

x = 550

Therefore, the speed of the plane in still air is 550 mph.

Solve. -A Jet Plane Traveling at a Constant Speed Goes 1200