Hi,         

Let x +c and x-c represent speeds downstream and upstream respectively

Question states:  D = r*t 6 min = 1/10hr

 1/10(x+c)= .5mi

     x = 5 - c

 1/2(x -c)=.5mi  substituting for x, to solve for c

 1/2[(5 - c) - c] = .5mi

      5 -2c  = 1

          4 = 2c

          c = 2mph, the speed of the current, speed in still water is 3mph (5-2)



CHECKING our Answer

 .1hr * 5mph = .5mi



               

Answer by amalm06(224)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
 Downstream: d=rt-->(v+c)(6)=0.5-->v+c=0.08333

Upstream: d=rt-->(v-c)(30)=0.5-->v-c=0.01666



v=c+0.01666--> 0.01666+2c=0.08333-->2c=0.06667-->c=0.0333 mi/min= 2 mi/hr



v=0.05003 mi/hr=3 mi/hr



Speed of swimmer in still water: 3 mi/hr (Answer)

Speed of current: 2 mi/hr (Answer) 





 

RELATED QUESTIONS

A swimmer can swim at twice the speed of the prevailing tide.  If it takes her 4 minutes... (answered by scott8148)

The amount of time it takes a swimmer to swim a race is inversely proportional to the... (answered by Theo)

The amount of time it takes a swimmer to swim a race is inversely proportional to the... (answered by stanbon)

A swimmer going downstream takes 1 hour, 20 minutes to travel a certain distance. It... (answered by flame8855)

Solve. The amount of time it takes a swimmer to swim a race is inversely proportional to... (answered by ewatrrr)

The amount of time it takes a swimmer to swim a race is inversely proportional to the... (answered by mananth,josgarithmetic,Boreal,greenestamps)

A Swimmer can swim at a speed of 2.8 m/s for 6 minutes. What distance will she cover in... (answered by Theo,Alan3354)

A boy can swim down stream four times as fast as he swim up stream. If he can swim up... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com,amalm06)

Solve:

The amount of time it takes a swimmer to swim a race is inversely proportional... (answered by jojo14344,amalm06)