Vault Of Euclid

Finding Ground Speed from Airspeed and Wind Velocity

Vector spaces core

An airplane flies due north at an airspeed of 550 mph. The wind is blowing from the northwest at 50 mph. What is the ground speed of the airplane?
vectorsvector-additionvelocityground-speedairspeedmagnitudecomponentstrigonometryword-problemapplied-mathematicsphysics-applicationcalculus-iii

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What this problem tests

Tests the ability to translate directional descriptions into vector components, add vectors, and compute magnitudes.

This is a classic application of vectors found in introductory physics and multivariable calculus courses.

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