document.write( "Question 208954: 3. Translate the problem into a pair of linear equations in two vaiables. Solve the equations using either elimination or substitution. State your answer for the specified variable.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The speed of a current is 6 mph. If a boat travels 62 miles downstream in the same time that it takes to travel 31 miles upstream, what is the speed of the boat in still water?
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Algebra.Com's Answer #157977 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Translate the problem into a pair of linear equations in two vaiables. Solve the equations using either elimination or substitution. State your answer for the specified variable.
\n" ); document.write( "The speed of a current is 6 mph. If a boat travels 62 miles downstream in the same time that it takes to travel 31 miles upstream, what is the speed of the boat in still water?
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\n" ); document.write( "Downstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 62 miles ; rate = b+6 ; time = 62/(b+6) hrs
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\n" ); document.write( "Upstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 31 miles ; rate = b-6 ; time = 31/(b-6) hrs
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\n" ); document.write( "Equation:
\n" ); document.write( "time down = time up
\n" ); document.write( "62/(b+6) = 31/(b-6)
\n" ); document.write( "Cross-multiply to get:
\n" ); document.write( "62(b-6) = 31(b+6)
\n" ); document.write( "62b - 6*62 = 31b + 31*6
\n" ); document.write( "31b = (31+62)6
\n" ); document.write( "b = 18 mph (speed of the boat in still water)
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\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H.
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