SOLUTION: Dick's motorboat can make an average 8 miles an hour. One day he sets out for a trip, only to have the motor break down. Dick rows back at 2 miles an hour. When he reaches his d

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Question 167461: Dick's motorboat can make an average 8 miles an hour. One day he sets out for a trip, only to have the motor break down. Dick rows back at 2 miles an hour. When he reaches his dock, he finds that he has been gone for 5 hours. How far has he rowed?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
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Dick's motorboat can make an average 8 miles an hour. One day he sets out for a
trip, only to have the motor break down. Dick rows back at 2 miles an hour.
When he reaches his dock, he finds that he has been gone for 5 hours.
How far has he rowed?
:
Let d = distance rowed (same as by motor)
;
Write a time equation. Time = distance%2Fspeed
:
Motor time + rowing time = 5 hrs
d%2F8 + d%2F2 = 5
:
Multiply equation by 8 to get rid of the denominators, results:
d + 4d = 8(5)
:
5d = 40
d = 40%2F5
d = 8 miles rowed
:
:
Check solution in our equation
8%2F8 + 8%2F2 = 5