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I just solved a TWIN problem under the link
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/college/linear/Linear_Algebra.faq.question.1136611.html
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/college/linear/Linear_Algebra.faq.question.1136611.html
So, this time I will be VERY SHORT, omitting words and keeping equations only.
U + v = = 24 (1) (the speed downstream, mph)
U - v = = 16 (2) (the speed upstream, mph)
Add the equations
2u = 24 + 16 = 40 ===========> u = = 20 mph the rate of the river cruise in still water.
Then from eq(1), v = 24 - 20 = 4 mph the rate of the current.
ANSWER. The rate of the river cruise in still water is 20 mph; the rate of the current is 4 mph.
Solved.
Check my answer on your own by substituting the found values into equations (1) and (2).
By doing it, you will understand the solution much better - you will understand it IN FULL.
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It is a typical and standard Upstream and Downstream round trip word problem.
You can find many similar fully solved problems on upstream and downstream round trips with detailed solutions in lessons
- Wind and Current problems
- More problems on upstream and downstream round trips
- Wind and Current problems solvable by quadratic equations
- Unpowered raft floating downstream along a river
- Selected problems from the archive on the boat floating Upstream and Downstream
in this site, where you will find other similar solved problems with detailed explanations.
Read them attentively and learn how to solve this type of problems once and for all.
Also, you have this free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I in this site
- ALGEBRA-I - YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK.
The referred lessons are the part of this textbook under the section "Word problems", the topic "Travel and Distance problems".
Save the link to this online textbook together with its description
Free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson
to your archive and use it when it is needed.