Question

a plane flying with a tailwind flew at a speed of 430 mph, relative to the ground. When flying against the tailwind, it flew at a speed of 330 mph. Express these relationships as equations. Let x be the speed of the plane and let y be the speed of the wind

Answer 1

If you count the direction the plane is heading as the "positive direction" then you have y=430 and x=330-y (because x must be negative as it is in the "negative direction" with respect to the plane)

Answer 2

now all that is left is to put x and y into the same equation using addition

Answer 3

So what is the equation?

Answer 4

do you see how the wind is slowing the plane down?

Answer 5

what is the equation then?