SOLUTION: It takes James and Bret 15 minutes to travel 5 miles upstream against the current. The return trip downstream with the current takes 10 minutes. The speed of the current remained
Algebra.Com
Question 556825: It takes James and Bret 15 minutes to travel 5 miles upstream against the current. The return trip downstream with the current takes 10 minutes. The speed of the current remained constant.
I need help with finding their speed for upstream and downstream and then finding the boat and current speeds...
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It takes James and Bret 15 minutes to travel 5 miles upstream against the current. The return trip downstream with the current takes 10 minutes. The speed of the current remained constant.
-------
Upstream DATA:
distance = 5 miles ; time = 1/4 hr ; rate = d/t = 5/(1/4) = 20 mph
----
Downstream DATA:
distance = 5 miles ; time = 1/6 hr ; rate = d/t = 5/(1/6) = 30 mph
----
Equation:
b + c = 30 mph
b - c = 20 mph
----
Add and solve for "b":
2b = 50 mph
b = 25 mph (speed of the boat in still water)
---
Solve for "c":
b + c = 30
25 + c = 30
c = 5 mph (speed of the current)
====================================
Cheers,
Stan H.
==============
RELATED QUESTIONS
A Canoe traveled Downstream with the current and went a distance of 15 miles in three... (answered by ikleyn)
In still water, a boat averages 15 miles per hour. It takes the same amount of time to... (answered by texttutoring)
in still water, a boat averages 15 miles per hour. it takes the same amount of time to... (answered by macston)
In still water, a boat averages 5 miles per hour. It takes the same amount of time to... (answered by ewatrrr)
When a boat travels upstream (against the current), it takes 2 hours to travel 12... (answered by yop)
When a boat travels upstream (against the current), it takes 2 hours to travel 12... (answered by josmiceli)
in still water a boat travels 15 mph. It takes same amount of time to travel 20 miles... (answered by htmentor)
A motorboat takes
5 hours to travel
100 miles going upstream. The return trip takes
(answered by ikleyn,Alan3354)
A motorboat takes 5 hours to travel 200 miles going upstream. The return trip takes 4... (answered by josgarithmetic)