document.write( "Question 521817: A Jet Ski rider can travel 16 miles against the current of the lower Mississippi River in 1/2 hour and make the return trip with the current in 1/3 hour. Find the speed of the Jet Ski in still water and the speed of the current.\r
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Algebra.Com's Answer #346592 by oberobic(2304)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
d = r*t is the basic distance equation: distance = rate * time
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\n" ); document.write( "d = 16 miles
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\n" ); document.write( "r = j - c when going upstream
\n" ); document.write( "j -c = jetski speed minus current speed
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\n" ); document.write( "r = j+c when going downstream
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\n" ); document.write( "t = 1/2 hr going upstream
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\n" ); document.write( "16 = 1/2*(j-c)
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\n" ); document.write( "t = 1/3 hr going downstream
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\n" ); document.write( "16 = 1/3(j+c)
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\n" ); document.write( "16=16
\n" ); document.write( "so
\n" ); document.write( "1/2*(j-c) = 1/3*(j+c)
\n" ); document.write( "(j-c)/2 = (j+c)/3
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\n" ); document.write( "Cross multiply
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\n" ); document.write( "3(j-c) = 2(j+c)
\n" ); document.write( "3j -3c = 2j + 2c
\n" ); document.write( "j = 5c
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\n" ); document.write( "substitute
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\n" ); document.write( "16 = 1/2*(5c-c)
\n" ); document.write( "32 = 4c
\n" ); document.write( "4c = 32
\n" ); document.write( "c = 8
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\n" ); document.write( "Substitute
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\n" ); document.write( "j = 5c
\n" ); document.write( "j = 40
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\n" ); document.write( "Check distances traveled in the given times to determine if this answer is correct.
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\n" ); document.write( "1/2*(40-8) = 16
\n" ); document.write( "1/3*(40+8) = 16
\n" ); document.write( "Correct.
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\n" ); document.write( "Answer: The speed of the jetski in still water is 40 mph, and the speed of the current is 8 mph.
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