A plane traveling at a constant speed goes 1100 miles with the wind, then turns around and travels for 900 miles against wind. Speed of the wind is 50 mph. Total flight took 4 hours. Find plane speed.

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Karina -Here is how to set up the problem, but I'll leave it for you to do the math.This is a typical rate, time and distance problem.  The important formula to remember is:rate x time = distanceSince time is known, we can rearrange this formula like this:Time = Distance ÷ RateSo, here is how to set this up:Time = Distance ÷ Rate4 = [1100 ÷ (s - 50)] + [900 ÷ (s + 50)]Where s = airspeed of planeNow just solve this equation for s.  If you plug in 500 you will see that it works!  However, if you need to show your work, then solve the quadratic equation.[Note: the ground speed of the plane depends upon the wind.  When traveling against the wind subtract 50 and when traveling with the wind add 50.]Hope that helps