# Basic Linear Problem Solving Qn.

• January 6th 2010, 04:54 PM
-Equilibrium-
Basic Linear Problem Solving Qn.
Could somebody help me with this question?
Im not sure what to really do, as I'm finding myself with an extra unknown, and Im certain there's a easier method of solving this question.
Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you.

An aircraft used for fire spotting, flies from its base to locate a fire at an unknown distance, x km away. It travels straight to the fire and back, averaging 240km/h for the outward trip and 320km/h for the return trip. If the plane was away for 35min, find the distance, xkm.
• January 6th 2010, 05:09 PM
-Equilibrium-
anything?
• January 6th 2010, 06:51 PM
aidan
Quote:

Originally Posted by -Equilibrium-
Could somebody help me with this question?
Im not sure what to really do, as I'm finding myself with an extra unknown, and Im certain there's a easier method of solving this question.
Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you.

An aircraft used for fire spotting, flies from its base to locate a fire at an unknown distance, x km away. It travels straight to the fire and back, averaging 240km/h for the outward trip and 320km/h for the return trip. If the plane was away for 35min, find the distance, xkm.

Distance = 240km/hr * time
Distance = 320km/hr * (35/60 - time)

$d = 240 \cdot t$ [Eqn 1]

$d = 320 (\dfrac{35}{60}-t)$ [Eqn 2]

$240 \cdot t = 320 (\dfrac{35}{60}-t)$

One equation, one unknown.
Solve for t and plug back into equation 1 for distance.

.