Relative Velocity Problem: What is the True Velocity of the Wind?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around determining the true velocity of the wind based on a cyclist's speed and direction. When cycling north at 40 km/h, the wind seems to come from the east, while cycling south at 50 km/h makes it appear from the southeast. The initial approach involves using vector components and angle relationships to solve the problem. The key challenge is establishing the correct tangent value for the wind's direction when it appears purely east. Understanding the north-south component from the first scenario allows for calculating the east-west component from the second scenario.
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When a women cycles N at 40kmh^-1, the wind appears to be blowing from a E direction, however when she cycles S at 50kmh^-1, the wind appears to be blowing from the SE.

Find the true velocity of the wind.

My attempt is attached - I have tried to solve through components and usingthe fact that the direction that the wind appears is known each time to establish an angle relationship with the components.

The only trouble is I am unsure what to set tan x when the direction is purely East.

Thanks alot.
 

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The first part tells you the N-S component of the wind since the cyclist is at rest with respect to the wind. From that, you should be able to get the E-W component from the second part.
 
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