document.write( "Question 359496: A boat cruises 36 mi against a 3-mph current and 36 mi back in the direction of the same current. The round trip takes 5 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #256501 by mananth(16946)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! let speed in still water = xmph \n" ); document.write( "current speed = 3mph \n" ); document.write( "upstream speed = x-3 mph \n" ); document.write( "downstream speed = x+3 mph \n" ); document.write( "... \n" ); document.write( "time = distance / speed \n" ); document.write( "36/(x+3)+36/(x-3)=5 \n" ); document.write( "36(x-3)+36(x+3)/(x+3)(x-3)=5 \n" ); document.write( "36x-108+36x+108=5(x^2-9) \n" ); document.write( "36x+36x=5x^2-45 \n" ); document.write( "5x^2-72x-45=0 \n" ); document.write( "5x^2-75x+3x-45=0 \n" ); document.write( "5x(x-15)+3(x-15)=0 \n" ); document.write( "(x-15)(5x+3)=0 \n" ); document.write( "x=15 OR x=-3/5 ignore \n" ); document.write( "x= 15 boat speed in still water \n" ); document.write( ",... \n" ); document.write( "m.ananth@hotmail.ca\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |