A plane flies 720 mi against a steady 30 mih headwind and th
A plane flies 720 mi against a steady 30 mi/h headwind and then returns to the same point with the wind. If the entire trip takes 10 h, what is the plane\'s speed in still air?
Solution
720/(X-30)+720/(X+30)=10
 [720(X+30)+720(X-30)]/(X-30)(X+30)=10
 (720X+21600+720X-21600)/X^2-900=10 NOW CROSS MULTIPLY:
 10X^2-9000=1440X
 10X^2-1440X-9000=0 FACTOUT THE 10
 10(X^2-144X-900)=0
 (X-150)(X+6)=0
 X-150=0
 X=150 MPH IS THE SPEED FO THE AIRPLANE IN STILL AIR.
 PROOF
 720/(150-30)+720/(150+30)=10
 720/120+720/180=10
 6+4=10
 10=10

