Question

George the Pigeon travels the same distance of 72 miles
in 4 hours against the wind as he does traveling 3 hours
with the wind in the local skies. What is the speed of
George the Pigeon in still air and the speed of the wind?

Answer 1

Answer:

The speed of George the Pigeon in still air = 21 miles/hr

The speed of air = 3 miles/hr

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the speed of George the Pigeon in still air = $u$ miles/hr

Let the speed of air = $v$ miles/hr

Distance traveled = 72 miles

Relative speed against the wind = $(u-v)$ miles/hr

Time taken against the wind = 4 hours

Relative speed with the wind = $(u+v)$ miles/hr

Time taken against the wind = 3 hours

Using the formula:

$Speed = \dfrac{Distance}{Time}$

$u-v=\dfrac{72}{4}\\\Rightarrow u-v=18 ..... (1)$

$u+v=\dfrac{72}{3}\\\Rightarrow u+v=24 ..... (2)$

Adding (1) and (2):

$2u=42\\\Rightarrow u = 21\ miles/hr$

By equation (1):

$v = 21-18\\\Rightarrow v = 3\ miles/hr$

Therefore, the answer is:

The speed of George the Pigeon in still air = 21 miles/hr

The speed of air = 3 miles/hr