SOLUTION: A boat goes upstream 600 m, moving 30 m/min through the water. The boat travels back downstream to the starting point, this time only going 20 m/min through the water. The total ti

Question 426820: A boat goes upstream 600 m, moving 30 m/min through the water. The boat travels back downstream to the starting point, this time only going 20 m/min through the water. The total time spent is 75 minutes. How fast was the current flowing?
Answer by Alan3354(69443) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A boat goes upstream 600 m, moving 30 m/min through the water. The boat travels back downstream to the starting point, this time only going 20 m/min through the water. The total time spent is 75 minutes. How fast was the current flowing?
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b = boat's speed relative to the water
c = current
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Upstream + downstream = 75 mins
600/(30 - c) + 600/(20 + c) = 75
One equation and one variable

(c-20)*(c+10) = 0
c = 20 m/min
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