An airplane flew with the wind for 2.5 hours and returned the same distance against the wind in 3.5 hours. if the cruising speed of the plane was a constant 360 mph in air, how fast was the wind blowing? (hint: if the wind speed is r miles per hour, then the plane travels at (360- + r) mph with the wind and at (360 - r) mph against the wind.

The wind is blowing at a speed of 60 mph.

Explanation

The cruising speed of the plane was a constant 360 mph in air.

Suppose, the speed of the wind is   mph.

So, the speed of the plane with the wind

and the speed of the plane against the wind

We know that,  

So, the distance traveled for 2.5 hours with the wind

and the distance traveled for 3.5 hours against the wind

As the plane flew with the wind and returned the same distance against the wind, so the equation will be........

So, the speed of the wind is 60 mph.