SOLUTION: This is a word problem from a chapter on Quadratic Equations. The speed of a boat in still water is 10km/hour. The boat travels upstream 24km and 24km downstream in a total time

Question 720112: This is a word problem from a chapter on Quadratic Equations.
The speed of a boat in still water is 10km/hour. The boat travels upstream 24km and 24km downstream in a total time of 5 hours. What is the speed of the stream?
I know how to solve quadratic equations, so I mainly need to know how to set the problem up, because that's the part that really confuses me.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Speed of the stream, c for "current". You may choose another variable instead.

Direction_________speed_____________time______________distance
Upsteam___________10-c______________(___)_____________24
Downstream________10+c______________(___)_____________24
TOTAL_________________________________5_______________48

Time information has not been filled, so we use speed*time=distance basic fact to find expressions for time in each direction.

Direction_________speed_____________time______________distance
Upsteam__________________________________24
Downstream_______________________________24
TOTAL_____________________________5_________________48

The sum of the times equaling 5 hours will give you the equation to solve for the stream's speed, c. .
RELATED QUESTIONS
A boat travels 10km upstream and 10km back. The time for the roundtrip is 5 hours. The... (answered by mananth)

Hi The chapter im working on is called Rational Functions. I got this word problem in my (answered by solver91311)

a paddle boat can move at a speed of 10km in still water. the boat is paddled 4km... (answered by mananth)

A paddle boat can move at a speed of 20km/h in still water. The boat is paddles 10km... (answered by macston)

a boat travels 80km upstream and then returns to its starting point. The entire trip... (answered by rapaljer)

Hello, I need help solving this word problem using a system of equations: A... (answered by scott8148)

This word problem needs to be solved using a rational expression, thank in advance for... (answered by scott8148)

Please help me so this word problem. {{{ The current of a river is 4 miles per... (answered by greenestamps)

Can someone help me solve this word problem? The Hudson River flows at a rate of 5... (answered by stanbon)