Math Problem of the Week - Algebra and Up - Dec. 12, 2021 to Dec. 18, 2021

Algebra and Up: 

Question: It takes 13 hours for a flock of seafulls to carry a giant peach 260 miles in windy ocnditions. If the seafulls are flying into the wind, which is slowing their progress by 5 miles per hour, then how fast can the seafulls transport the peach in still conditions? 

Answer: 25 miles per hour

Solution:  Since the seagulls’ speed is slowed by 5 miles per hour, we can represent their slowed speed as (x – 5) if x is the speed they fly in still conditions. Since “distance = rate × time,” we can set up this equation:

260 = (x – 5) × 13

When we solve for x, we get 25 miles per hour.