An airplane has just enough fuel for a 5hour flight, how far can it fly roundtrip if it flies 225mph with the wind during the first leg of the trip and 180mph against the wind on the return?

Question

broskishelleh · Answer

Set up two equations for the flight. x will represent how much time is spent on the 225mph leg of the trip, and y will represent how much time is spent on the 180mph part of the trip.

broskishelleh · Answer

225x=180y
x+y=5

broskishelleh · Answer

x=5-y
225(5-y)=180y
1125-225y=180y
1125=405y
y=1125/405=25/9

broskishelleh · Answer

So now what equations do I have?

broskishelleh · Answer

5-25/9=x
x=20/9

broskishelleh · Answer

Plug these values into the mph they represent to get the total distance:
20/9 * 225 + 25/9 *180 = 1,000 miles