SOLUTION: A boat traveled 36 km downstream in 2h. the return trip upstream took 3 h. find the rate of the current. i got d=rt downstream 72=(x+y)5 upstream 72=(x-y)5 then i sol

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Question 34979This question is from textbook Algebra and Trigonometry Structure and Method
: A boat traveled 36 km downstream in 2h. the return trip upstream took 3 h. find the rate of the current.
i got d=rt
downstream 72=(x+y)5
upstream 72=(x-y)5
then i solved for x and got 180 but when i tried for y everything cancels itself out, help please...This question is from textbook Algebra and Trigonometry Structure and Method

Answer by Paul(988) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the speed of the boat be x
Let the speed of the current be y
Equation 1:
2x+2y=36
y=18-x (subsitution)
3x-3y=36
Subsitute for yL
3x-3(18-x)=36
6x=36+54
x=15
y=18-15
y=3
Hence, the speed of the boat is 15mph And the speed of the current is 3mph.
Paul.