SOLUTION: A canoeist paddles at a constant rate. He finds that it takes him 2 hours longer to make a 12 mile trip upstream than it does downstream. If the current is 3 miles per hour, how lo

Question 952046: A canoeist paddles at a constant rate. He finds that it takes him 2 hours longer to make a 12 mile trip upstream than it does downstream. If the current is 3 miles per hour, how long would the trip take in still water?
Answer by lwsshak3(11628) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A canoeist paddles at a constant rate. He finds that it takes him 2 hours longer to make a 12 mile trip upstream than it does downstream. If the current is 3 miles per hour, how long would the trip take in still water?
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let x=canoeist paddle rate in still water
x+3=paddle rate downstream
x-3=paddle rate upstream
travel time=distance/rate

lcd:(x-3)(x+3)
12(x+3)-12(x-3)=2(x-3)(x+3)
12x+36-12x+36=2(x^2-9)
72=2x^2-18
2x^2=90
x^2=45
x=√45
12/√45=1.79
how long would the trip take in still water? 1.79 hrs

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