document.write( "Question 159800: After a sailboat has been on the water for 3h, a change in the wind direction reduced the average speed of the boat by 5mph. The entire distance sailed was 57mi. The total time spent sailing was 6h. How far did the sailboat travel the in the first 3 h? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #117917 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
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After a sailboat has been on the water for 3h, a change in the wind direction
\n" ); document.write( " reduced the average speed of the boat by 5mph. The entire distance sailed was
\n" ); document.write( " 57mi. The total time spent sailing was 6h. How far did the sailboat travel the
\n" ); document.write( " in the first 3 h?
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Let s = speed of the boat the 1st three hrs
\n" ); document.write( "then
\n" ); document.write( "(s-5) = reduced speed during the last 3 hrs
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\n" ); document.write( "Write a distance equation; Dist = time * speed
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\n" ); document.write( "Initial dist + reduced speed dist = 57 mi
\n" ); document.write( "3s + 3(s-5) = 57
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "3s + 3s - 15 = 57
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "6s = 57 + 15
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\n" ); document.write( "6s = 72
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "s = \"72%2F6\"
\n" ); document.write( "s = 12 mph hr
\n" ); document.write( "therefore
\n" ); document.write( "3 * 12 = 36 mi in the 1st 3 hrs
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\n" ); document.write( "Check solution by finding the total dist (reduced speed = 12 - 5 = 7 mph)
\n" ); document.write( "36 + 7(3) = 57 mi \n" ); document.write( "
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