Solving the Direction of an Airplane Flying in the Wind

AI Thread Summary
To solve the problem of an airplane flying in the wind, the component form of the airplane's velocity can be calculated using trigonometric functions based on its bearing and speed. The equations v_x = v cos(φ) and v_y = v sin(φ) are used to determine the x and y components of the velocity. The actual ground speed and direction can then be found by combining the airplane's velocity components with the wind's velocity components. To find the direction of the plane, the arctangent function can be applied to the ratio of the y-component to the x-component of the resultant velocity. This approach provides the necessary calculations for determining the airplane's actual flight path.
Lazz72
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Here's the problem: An airplane is flying on a bearing of 340 degrees at 325 mph. A wind is blowing with the bearing of 320 degrees at 40 mph.

a) Find the component form of the velocity of the airplane.
b) Find the actual ground speed and direction of plane.

I can find the component form for the velocity of the airplane and the actual ground speed for the plane, but I don't know how to find the direction. I know it's a certain formula I don't know. Could someone please explain how to find the direction of the plane?
 
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If you can find the ground speed of the plane you apparently know that

v_x = v \cos {\phi}

and

v_y = v \sin {\phi}

now if you divide those equations ...

for an airplane the x direction is to the north and the y direction to the east.
 
I tried to combine those 2 formulas but it didn't work. I tried using another case where there are 2 red balls and 2 blue balls only so when combining the formula I got ##\frac{(4-1)!}{2!2!}=\frac{3}{2}## which does not make sense. Is there any formula to calculate cyclic permutation of identical objects or I have to do it by listing all the possibilities? Thanks
Since ##px^9+q## is the factor, then ##x^9=\frac{-q}{p}## will be one of the roots. Let ##f(x)=27x^{18}+bx^9+70##, then: $$27\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)^2+b\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)+70=0$$ $$b=27 \frac{q}{p}+70 \frac{p}{q}$$ $$b=\frac{27q^2+70p^2}{pq}$$ From this expression, it looks like there is no greatest value of ##b## because increasing the value of ##p## and ##q## will also increase the value of ##b##. How to find the greatest value of ##b##? Thanks
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