SOLUTION: A fishing boat traveled 3 hours against a 6km/hr current. The Return trip took only 2 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water.

Question 147407: A fishing boat traveled 3 hours against a 6km/hr current. The Return trip took only 2 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water.
Answer by Electrified_Levi(103) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hi, Hope I can help
A fishing boat traveled 3 hours against a 6km/hr current. The Return trip took only 2 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water.
.
Distance=(rate)(time)
It can also be put like this.
(rate)(time)=(rate)(time)
We already know the time 3 hours, and 2 hours
We have to find the speed of the boat.
.
speed of the boat in still water = "x"
speed of the boat against current = (x - 6)(current slows the boat's speed)
speed of the boat with the current = (x + 6)(current speeds up the boat's speed)
.
Now we can solve "x"
We know both the speed(rate) and the time.
.
(rate)(time)=(rate)(time)
.
(x - 6)(3)= (x + 6)(2)
.
3(x - 6)= 2(x + 6)
.
We will use the distributive property
.
3x - 18 = 2x + 12
.
We will subtract 2x from both sides
.
x - 18 = 0 + 12
.
Now add 18 to both sides
.
x - 0 = 18 + 12
.
x = 30
.
The fishing boat went 30 km./hr in still water
.
3(30 - 6)= 2(30 + 6)
3(24)=2(36)
(72)=(72)
.
It went 72 miles each way, 144 miles all together
.
Hope I helped, Levi

RELATED QUESTIONS
A fishing boat traveled 3 hours against a 6km/hr current. The return trip took 2 hours. (answered by checkley71)

A fishing boat traveled 3 hours against a 6 km/hr current. The return trip took only 2... (answered by stanbon)

A motorboat took 3 hours to make a downstream trip with a current of 6km/h. The return... (answered by orca)

A motorboat took 3 hours to make a downstream trip with a 6km/h current. The return trip... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

A small boat took 2 hr to travel Downstream with the four mile per current the return... (answered by josgarithmetic,ikleyn)

A boat traveled for 3 hr with a 12-mph current to reach a picnic area. The return trip... (answered by mananth)

A boat traveled for 2 hr with a 12 mph current to reach a picnic area. the return trip... (answered by Cromlix)

Alvin paddles for 3 hours with a 5 km/ hr current to reach a campsite. The return trip... (answered by jorel1380)

a motor boat took 3 hours to make a downstream trip with a 4 mph current. The return trip (answered by mananth)