SOLUTION: A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 35 miles per hour relative to the water. The boat makes a trip upstream to a certain point in 48 minutes; the return trip takes 32 minu

Question 785499: A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 35 miles per hour relative to the water. The boat makes a trip upstream to a certain point in 48 minutes; the return trip takes 32 minutes. What is the speed of the current?
Answer by CubeyThePenguin(3113) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
speed of current = C

distance = (rate)(time)

(35 + C)(32/60) = (35 - C)(48/60)
8(35 + C)/15 = 4(35 - C)/5
280 + 8C = 3(140 - 4C)
280 + 8C = 420 - 12C
20C = 140
C = 7

The current travels at 7 mph.
RELATED QUESTIONS
A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 35 miles per hour relative to the water. The (answered by Boreal)

A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 24 miles per hour relative to the water. the (answered by ikleyn,greenestamps)

A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 34 miles per hour relative to the water.... (answered by josgarithmetic,ikleyn,greenestamps)

a motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 35 miles per hour relative to the water. the (answered by ikleyn,josmiceli)

A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 34 miles per hour relative to the water. The (answered by stanbon)

A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 50 miles per hour relative to the water. The (answered by lwsshak3)

A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 16 miles per hour relative to the water. The (answered by mananth)

A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 38 miles per hour relative to the water. The (answered by checkley79)

A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 31 miles per hour relative to the water. (answered by macston)