An airplane can fly with the wind a distance of 920 miles in 4 hours. However, the return trip against the wind takes 5 hours. Find the speed of the plane in still air and the speed of the wind.
A)211 mph, 19 mph
B)203 mph, 27 mph
C)207 mph, 22 mph
D)207 mph, 23 mph
E)230 mph, 23 mph

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Let's call the speed of the plane in still air "p" and the speed of the wind "w". Using the formula distance = rate x time, we can create two equations based on the information given:

With the wind: 920 = (p + w) x 4
Against the wind: 920 = (p - w) x 5

Simplifying both equations, we get:

p + w = 230
p - w = 184

Adding the two equations together eliminates the "w" variable, giving us:

2p = 414
p = 207

Substituting p back into one of the equations, we can find the value of w:

p + w = 230
207 + w = 230
w = 23

Therefore, the speed of the plane in still air is 207 mph and the speed of the wind is 23 mph. The answer is D.

An Airplane Can Fly with the Wind a Distance of 920