SOLUTION: "Rita rows 12 km upstream and 12 km downstream in three hours. The speed of her boat in still water is 9 km/hr. Find the speed of the stream." Thanks.

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: "Rita rows 12 km upstream and 12 km downstream in three hours. The speed of her boat in still water is 9 km/hr. Find the speed of the stream." Thanks.      Log On


   



Question 69719: "Rita rows 12 km upstream and 12 km downstream in three hours. The speed of her boat in still water is 9 km/hr. Find the speed of the stream."
Thanks.

Found 2 solutions by checkley75, josmiceli:
Answer by checkley75(3666) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
12/(9+x)+12/(9-x)=3
[12(9-x)+12(9+x)]/(9+x)(9-x)=3
(108-12x+108+12x)/(81-x^2)=3
216/(81-x^2)=3
3(81-x^2)=216
243-3x^2-216=0
-3x^2+27=0
x^2=-27/-3
x^2=9
x=3 which is the current
proof
12/(9-3)+12(9+3)=3
12/6+12/12=3
2+1=3
3=3

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
t+=+d%5B1%5D%2Fr%5B1%5D+%2B+d%5B2%5D%2Fr%5B2%5D
3+=+12%2Fr%5B1%5D+%2B+12%2Fr%5B2%5D
s = speed of stream
3+=+12+%2F+%289+-+s%29+%2B+12+%2F+%289+%2B+s%29
multiply both sides by (9+s)(9-s)
3%289%2Bs%29%289-s%29+=+12%289%2Bs%29+%2B+12%289-s%29
3%2881-s%5E2%29+=+108+%2B+12s+%2B+108+-+12s
243+-3s%5E2+=+216
3s%5E2+=+27
s%5E2+=+9
s+=+3 km/hr answer