An airplane flying into a headwind travels 224 miles in 2 hours and 40 minutes. On the return flight, the distance is traveled in 2 hours. Find the airspeed of the plane and the speed of the wind, assuming that both remain constant.

Question

anonymous · Answer

assume the speed of the air is v1 and the speed of the airplane is v2.. we have the following two equations:
$$v2-v1=224miles/160\min$$
$$v2+v1=224miles/120\min$$
solve the two equations for v1 and v2

anonymous · Answer

actually the speed of airspeed and the wind can't be assumed as constant value...

anonymous · Answer

the speed of the airplane v2=1.63 miles/min
the speed of the air v1=0.23miles/min

anonymous · Answer

Why can you not assume the that the airspeed and windspeed remain constant?

anonymous · Answer

it might be right if the fraction of the air being neglected

amistre64 · Answer

The problem says to assume constant speeds; regardless of whether it conforms to real events :)

anonymous · Answer

so then i think anwar is right...

anonymous · Answer

so would you say...? plane speed = 98 mph; wind speed = 14 mph?

anonymous · Answer

yes, though i may add in a few decimal places for accuracy

anonymous · Answer

yes.. 1.63miles/min*60min/hour=97.8mph
0.23miles/min*60min/hour=13.8mph

anonymous · Answer

Ok well thanks for helping it makes a lot more sense now! Thanks everyone!

anonymous · Answer

you're welcome