document.write( "Question 285655: Jen’s boat cruised 45 miles upstream and 45 miles back in a total of 8 hr. The speed of the river is 3 mph. Find the speed of the boat in still water.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I need help with this word problem.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Thank you.
\n" ); document.write( "Cynthia
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #207089 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Jen’s boat cruised 45 miles upstream and 45 miles back in a total of 8 hr. The speed of the river is 3 mph. Find the speed of the boat in still water.
\n" ); document.write( "-------------------
\n" ); document.write( "Upstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 45 miles ; rate = b-3 mph ; time = d/r = 45/(b-3) hrs.
\n" ); document.write( "------------------------------
\n" ); document.write( "Downstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 45 miles ; rate = b+3 mph ; time = d/r = 45/(b+3) hrs
\n" ); document.write( "------------------------------
\n" ); document.write( "Equation:
\n" ); document.write( "time + time = 8 hr
\n" ); document.write( "45/(b-3) + 45/(b+3) = 8
\n" ); document.write( "Multiply thru by (b^2-9) to get:
\n" ); document.write( "45(b+3) + 45(b-3) = 8(b^2-9)
\n" ); document.write( "90b = 8b^2 - 72
\n" ); document.write( "Rearrange:
\n" ); document.write( "8b^2 - 90b - 72 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "4b^2 -45b - 36 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "--------------------------
\n" ); document.write( "(b-12)(4b+3) = 0
\n" ); document.write( "Positive solution:
\n" ); document.write( "b = 12 mph (boat speed in still water)
\n" ); document.write( "=======================================
\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H.
\n" ); document.write( "=======================================
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );