SOLUTION: Liz and Mary took a canoeing trip, traveling 6 miles upstream along a river, against a 2 mph current. They returned downstream to the starting point of their trip. If the entire tr

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Question 828691: Liz and Mary took a canoeing trip, traveling 6 miles upstream along a river, against a 2 mph current. They returned downstream to the starting point of their trip. If the entire trip took 4 hours, what was their rate in still water ?
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, MathTherapy:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
d = 6
r = canoe speed without current
c = 2, speed of current
T =4, total time

______________speed_____________time______________distance
Going_________r-2_______________(___)_____________6
Return________r+2_______________(___)_____________6
Total____________________________T

What are the missing time parts?


______________speed_____________time______________distance
Going_________r-2_______________(6/(r-2))_____________6
Return________r+2_______________(6/(r+2))_____________6
Total____________________________T

Obvious equation is




and we already know T=4



------ seems factorable. One solution will make sense and the other will not make sense.


(r-4)(r+1)=0
Answer by MathTherapy(10552)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Liz and Mary took a canoeing trip, traveling 6 miles upstream along a river, against a 2 mph current. They returned downstream to the starting point of their trip. If the entire trip took 4 hours, what was their rate in still water ? 


Let speed in still water be S

Traveling AGAINST the current, time taken to travel upstream = 

Traveling WITH the current, time taken to travel downstream = 

Since total time taken for the round trip is 4 hours, then:



 ------- Multiplying by LCD, (S - 2)(S + 2)













Solve to obtain S, or speed of boat, in still water, ACCEPTING the POSITIVE solution, while IGNORING the 

negative solution.



Then do a check!! 



If you need a complete and detailed solution, let me know!!



Send comments, “thank-yous,” and inquiries to “D” at MathMadEzy@aol.com.

Further help is available, online or in-person, for a fee, obviously. 

	

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