SOLUTION: A fisherman can row up stream at 4mph and downstream at 6mph. he started rowing upstream until he got tired then he started down to his starting point. How far did the fisherman

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Question 1169368: A fisherman can row up stream at 4mph and downstream at 6mph. he started rowing upstream until he got tired then he started down to his starting point.
How far did the fisherman row if the entire trip took 6hr.
My equation
4t=6(6-t)
Found 2 solutions by greenestamps, ikleyn:
Answer by greenestamps(13203)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Your equation is fine for finding t, the number of hours he rowed at 4mph.

Then remember that is not the answer to the question; you need to multiply your answer times the 4mph to find the distance.
Answer by ikleyn(52851)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

Let "d" be one way distance (the unknown value under the problem's question).


Then you have this "time" equation


     +  = 6 hours.


Notice that the addends in the left sides are the times traveling in each direction.


To solve the equation, multiply both sides by 12.  You will get


    3d + 2d = 6*12

      5d    = 72

       d    = 72/5 = 14.4 miles.


CHECK.   +  = 3.6 + 2.4 = 6 hours.   ! Correct !

Solved.

-------------

Using time equation is a standard (but not a unique) way solving such problems.

It is simple,  logical,  straightforward,  economic and robust  (work in standard way for any input data).

Going in this way,  you will never make a mistake - the logic of the method
prevents you of making mistakes.

From this lesson,  learn on how to write,  how to use and how to solve a  "time"  equation.

To see many other similar solved problems,  look into the lessons
    - Had a car move faster it would arrive sooner
    - How far do you live from school?
    - Earthquake waves
    - Time equation: HOW TO use, HOW TO write and HOW TO solve it
in this site.

To see many other similar solved problems from an archive of this forum,  look into the links

https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/misc/Miscellaneous_Word_Problems.faq.question.1169053.html
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/playground/test.faq.question.1165697.html
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/travel/Travel_Word_Problems.faq.question.1163447.html
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/travel/Travel_Word_Problems.faq.question.1163452.html
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/travel/Travel_Word_Problems.faq.question.1163114.html
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/travel/Travel_Word_Problems.faq.question.1162900.html
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/travel/Travel_Word_Problems.faq.question.1162775.html
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/misc/Miscellaneous_Word_Problems.faq.question.1154666.html



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