Relative velocity - find airspeed

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the airspeed of a plane flying into a 65 mi/h headwind, with the return trip taking 65 minutes less. The initial attempt at a solution incorrectly uses a distance of 2300 miles, which is not provided in the problem statement. Participants emphasize the need to define the plane's speed as a variable and create equations for both legs of the trip to find the correct airspeed. The confusion about the plane's speed being equal to the headwind speed is also highlighted, as it would result in no forward motion. The conversation underscores the importance of carefully interpreting the problem and setting up the equations correctly.
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Homework Statement



A plane flies flies into a 65 mi/h headwind. On the return trip from B to A, the wind velocity is unchanged. The trip from B to A takes 65 min less than the trip from A to B. What is the airspeed (assumed constant) of the plane?

a. 480 mi/h
c. 530 mi/h
b. 610 mi/h
d. 400 mi/h

Homework Equations



?

The Attempt at a Solution



65 min = 1.08 hrs
time from A to B = 2300 mi / 65 mi/hr = 35.4 hrs
time from B to A = 35.4 hrs - 1.08 hrs = 34.4 hrs

Not sure if I am doing it correctly and not sure where to go from here.
 
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First off, where did you get 2300 miles? No such number is mentioned in the problem statement. Secondly, even if you were told that the distance is 2300 miles, the plane cannot be flying at 65 mi/h if the headwind is also 65 mi/h because it would not move at all. Call the speed of the plane v and write two equations, one for the time A to B and one for the time B to A.
 
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