An airplane flying with the wind travels a distance of 500 m

An airplane flying with the wind travels a distance of 500 miles in 2 hours. The return trip against the wind takes 2.5 hours. What is the speed of the wind and the speed of the plane (in still air)?

Solution

500 miles

2(p+w) = 500

p+w = 250

2.5(p-w) = 500

p- w = 200

2p = 750

p = 750/2 = 375 miles/hr

w = 375 - 200 = 175 miles/ hr

Speed of plane = 375 miles/hr

Speed of wind = 175 miles/hr