Question

A flight averages 460 mph. The return flight averages 500 mph due to tailwind. The total flying time is 4.8 hours how long is each flight

Answer 1

2.5 hours at 460 mph

2.3 hours at 500 mph

Explanation:

Distance is velocity times time

d = v * t

We know that both flights have the same distance, so we can express the information with equations:

d = 460 * t1

d = 500 * t2

Where t1 is the time at 460 mph and t2 is the time at 500 mph. We know that:

t = t1 + t2, then

t2 = t - t1

where:

t is the total time and it is 4.8 hours

Now we only have to substitute in the equation:

460 * t1 = 500 * t2

and we know that t2 = 4.8 - t1; so:

460 * t1 = 500 * (4.8 - t1)

Solving:

460 t1 = 2400 - 500 t1

460 t1 + 500 t1 = 2400

960 t1 = 2400

t1 = 2400/960

t1 = 2.5 hours at 460 mph

t2 = 4.8-2.5

t2 = 2.3 hours at 500 mph

Answer 2

We know that time is distance over velocity, that is:

time = distance / velocity

t = d / v

Now from the given:

d / 460 + d / 500 = 4.8

Now we can find for d:

d = 4.8 / [1/460 + 1/500]

d = 1150 miles

So the time of each flight is:

flight = 1150 / 460 = 2.5 hours

return flight = 1150 / 500 = 2.3 hours