A light aircraft travels 2 miles per hour less than twice the speed of a van. If the van can travel 171 miles in the same time it takes the aircraft to travel 336 miles, then what is the average speed of each?

The answers to the question are as follows

The average speed of the aircraft = 112 miles/hr and

the average speed of the van= 57 miles/hr

Explanation:

Speed of the van = X

Speed of the aircraft  = Y = 2 × X - 2 miles/hour

Distance covered by van  in time t = 171 miles

Distance covered by aircraft in time t = 336 miles

Therefore Y × t = 336 miles and

X × t = 171 miles

Therefore (2·X -2) × t = 336 miles

and  t = (171 miles)/X

(2·X -2) × (171 miles)/X  = 336 miles

(342·X-342)/X =336 → 6·X = 342

Therefore X = 57 miles/hour

and Y =2×57 -2 = 112 miles/hr

reserve is the answer