1973 AMC 12 Problem 34

Attempt Problem 34 of the 1973 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1973 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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34.

A plane flew straight against a wind between two towns in 8484 minutes and returned with that wind in 99 minutes less than it would take in still air. The number of minutes (two answers) for the return trip was

5454 or 1818

6060 or 1515

6363 or 1212

7272 or 3636

7575 or 2020

Answer: C
Concepts:distance rate and timequadraticsystem of equations
Difficulty rating: 2410
Small Hint:

Let xx be the return time; the still-air time is then x+9x+9

Big Hint:

The plane’s still-air speed is the average of its against-wind and with-wind ground speeds

Solution:

Let the distance be dd and the return time be xx minutes. The against-wind and with-wind speeds are d84\frac{d}{84} and dx.\frac{d}{x}. Their average is the still-air speed dx+9.\frac{d}{x+9}. Therefore 2x+9=184+1x. \frac{2}{x+9}=\frac1{84}+\frac1x. Clearing denominators gives 168x=(x+9)(x+84),x275x+756=0,(x63)(x12)=0. \begin{gathered} 168x=(x+9)(x+84),\\ x^2-75x+756=0,\\ (x-63)(x-12)=0. \end{gathered} Both positive values are consistent with the stated conditions, so the two return times are 6363 and 1212 minutes.

Therefore, the correct answer is C.

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