A weather plane took to the skies to measure the speed of the jet stream. The plane flew 1920 km with the jet stream as a tail wind. Then, it returned to its original location. The eastbound flight took 2 hours, and the westbound flight took 3.2 hours. Which system of equations can be used to find the speed of the jet stream and the speed of the plane? What was the speed of the jet stream? (p = plane, w = wind)

Question

Mathematics

Taylor Morgan

8 June, 03:23

A weather plane took to the skies to measure the speed of the jet stream. The plane flew 1920 km with the jet stream as a tail wind. Then, it returned to its original location. The eastbound flight took 2 hours, and the westbound flight took 3.2 hours. Which system of equations can be used to find the speed of the jet stream and the speed of the plane? What was the speed of the jet stream? (p = plane, w = wind)

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Answers (1)

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Eileen Hanson · Answer 1

To solve the problem, use the formula D = rt

where d is the distance

r is the speed of flight

t is the time of flight

for the eastbound flight

D = rt

1920 = (p + w) 2

1920 = 2p + 2w

for the westbound flight

d = rt

1920 = (p - w) 3.2

1920 = 3.2p - 3.2w

solve the two equation simultaneously

p = 780

w = 180