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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document.write( "mph (jet ski in still water)?
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document.write( "mph (current)? \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #346592 by oberobic(2304)![]() ![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! d = r*t is the basic distance equation: distance = rate * time \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "d = 16 miles \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "r = j - c when going upstream \n" ); document.write( "j -c = jetski speed minus current speed \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "r = j+c when going downstream \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "t = 1/2 hr going upstream \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "16 = 1/2*(j-c) \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "t = 1/3 hr going downstream \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "16 = 1/3(j+c) \n" ); document.write( ". \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 \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "Cross multiply \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "3(j-c) = 2(j+c) \n" ); document.write( "3j -3c = 2j + 2c \n" ); document.write( "j = 5c \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "substitute \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "16 = 1/2*(5c-c) \n" ); document.write( "32 = 4c \n" ); document.write( "4c = 32 \n" ); document.write( "c = 8 \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "Substitute \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "j = 5c \n" ); document.write( "j = 40 \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "Check distances traveled in the given times to determine if this answer is correct. \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "1/2*(40-8) = 16 \n" ); document.write( "1/3*(40+8) = 16 \n" ); document.write( "Correct. \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "Answer: The speed of the jetski in still water is 40 mph, and the speed of the current is 8 mph. \n" ); document.write( " |