SOLUTION: a sailboat travels 12 mi downstream in only 2 h. The return trip takes 3 h. Find the speed of the sailboat in still water and the rate of the current?

Question 932108: a sailboat travels 12 mi downstream in only 2 h. The return trip takes 3 h. Find the speed of the sailboat in still water and the rate of the current?
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a sailboat travels 12 mi downstream in only 2 h. The return trip takes 3 h. Find the speed of the sailboat in still water and the rate of the current?
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downstream DATA:
dist = 12 mi ; time = 2hr; rate = 12/2 = 6 mph
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upstream DATA:
dist = 12 mi ; time = 3 hr ; rate = 12/3 = 4 mph
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Equation:
Downsteam:: b + c = 6 mph
Upstream :: b - c = 4 mph
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Add and solve for "b"::
2b = 10
boat speed = 5 mph
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Solve for "c"::
b + c = 6
5 + c = 6
current speed = 1 mph
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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