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
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document.write( "I need help with this word problem.\r
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document.write( "Thank you.
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document.write( "Cynthia \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #207089 by stanbon(75887)![]() ![]() ![]() 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( " |