SOLUTION: Please help me solve this word problem:
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream (against the current) at an average speed of 2mph relative to the riverbank. On the return trip down
Algebra.Com
Question 394504: Please help me solve this word problem:
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream (against the current) at an average speed of 2mph relative to the riverbank. On the return trip downstream (with the current), her average speed was 3mph. Find Rita's paddling speed in still water and the speed of the river's current.
I tried using the formula rate*time=distance, but they don't give you the distance. I would have set up the problem like this if i had the distance:
(r*t)2=d
(r*t)3=d
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream (against the current) at an average speed of 2mph relative to the riverbank.
---
Upstream DATA:
rate = 2 mph
-------
On the return trip downstream (with the current), her average speed was 3mph.
Down stream DATA:
rate = 3 mph
-------------------
Find Rita's paddling speed in still water and the speed of the river's current.
---
Equations:
Let boat rate in still water be "b"
Let current rate be "c".
--------------------------
b + c = 3 mph
b - c = 2 mph
---------------------------
Add and solve for b:
2b = 5
b = 2.5 mph
---
Solve for "c":
b+c = 3
2.5 + c = 3
c = 0.5 mph
------------------
cheers,
Stan H.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Use a system of linear equations to solve the problem.
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
write the equation for:
on a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream (against the current)... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream (against the current) at an average speed of 2... (answered by richwmiller)
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream (against the current) at an average speed of 2 mph (answered by josmiceli)
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream (against the current) at an average speed of 2mi/h (answered by stanbon,scott8148)
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream (against the current)at an avrage speed of 2 mi/hr (answered by checkley77)
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream (against the current) at an average speed of 2mi/h (answered by mananth)
how would i make a system of linear equations for the following problem when i want to... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream at an average speed of 2mi/h relative to the... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)