document.write( "Question 173946: A fisherman in a canoe paddles 14 miles down a stream in the same amount of time that it takes him to paddle 6 miles upstream. If the speed of the current is 2 mph, what is the speed at which the fisherman can paddle in still water? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #128842 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A fisherman in a canoe paddles 14 miles down a stream in the same amount of time that it takes him to paddle 6 miles upstream. If the speed of the current is 2 mph, what is the speed at which the fisherman can paddle in still water?
\n" ); document.write( "------------------------
\n" ); document.write( "Downstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 14 miles ; rate = b+2 mph ; time = d/r = 14/(b+2) hrs.
\n" ); document.write( "---------------
\n" ); document.write( "Upstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 6 miles ; rate = b-2 mph ; time = d/r = 6/(b-2) hrs.
\n" ); document.write( "---------------
\n" ); document.write( "EQUATION:
\n" ); document.write( "time up = time down
\n" ); document.write( "6/(b-2) = 14/(b+2)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "6(b+2) = 14(b-2)
\n" ); document.write( "6b + 12 = 14b -28
\n" ); document.write( "8b = 40
\n" ); document.write( "b = 5 mph (speed of the boat in still water)
\n" ); document.write( "=============================================
\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H. \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );