SOLUTION: Can you help me please? This application problem I can't figure out. Julie and Eric row their boat (at a constant speed) 55 miles downstream for 5hrs,helped by the current. Rowi

Question 111108: Can you help me please? This application problem I can't figure out.
Julie and Eric row their boat (at a constant speed) 55 miles downstream for 5hrs,helped by the current. Rowing at the same rate,the trip back against the current takes 11 hours. Find the rate of the current.
Answer by uma(370) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Sure, I will help you.
Let x mil/hr be the speed of the boat and y mil / hr be that of the current.
Down stream they travelled 55 miles in 5 hrs
==> their speed = distance/time
= 55/5
= 11 miles/hr
Actually downstream the speed = speed of boat + speed of current
==> x + y = 11 ---------------(1)
Up stream they travelled 55 miles in 11 hrs
==> their speed = distance/time
= 55/11
= 5 miles/hr
upstream the speed = speed of boat - speed of current
==> x - y = 5 ---------------(2)
(1) - (2) gives 2y = 6
==> y = 6/2
= 3
Thus the speed of the current = 3 miles/hr

Good luck!!!
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