SOLUTION: Can you help me set up a rational equation to solve this word problem algebraically please? If a boat goes downstream 78 miles in 3 1/4 hours and upstream 72 miles in 7 1/5 hour

Question 882368: Can you help me set up a rational equation to solve this word problem algebraically please?
If a boat goes downstream 78 miles in 3 1/4 hours and upstream 72 miles in 7 1/5 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water and the speed of the current.
Thank you.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let = the speed of the boat in still water
Let = the speed of the current
= the speed of the boat going downstream
= the speed of the boat going upstream
---------------------------------------------
(1)
(2)
-----------------------
(1)
(2)
Add the equations

and, since
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
The speed of the boat in still water is 17 mi/hr
The speed of the current is 7 mi/hr
-----------------
check:
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
You can check other equation

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