document.write( "Question 526651: After a sailboat had been on the water for 3 hours, a change in the wind direction reduced the average speed of the boat by 7 mph. The entire distance sailed was 51 miles. The total time spent sailing was 5 hours. How far did the sailboat travel in the first 3 hours? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #348662 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
After a sailboat had been on the water for 3 hours, a change in the wind direction reduced the average speed of the boat by 7 mph.
\n" ); document.write( " The entire distance sailed was 51 miles.
\n" ); document.write( " The total time spent sailing was 5 hours.
\n" ); document.write( " How far did the sailboat travel in the first 3 hours?
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Let s = the speed of the boat the first 3 hrs
\n" ); document.write( "then total time given as 5 hrs, therefore
\n" ); document.write( "(s-7) = the speed for the final 2 hrs
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Write a distance equation: dist = speed * time
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "3s + 2(s-7) = 51
\n" ); document.write( "3s + 2s - 14 = 51
\n" ); document.write( "5s = 51 + 14
\n" ); document.write( "5s = 65
\n" ); document.write( "s = 13 mph for the 1st 3 hrs
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "3*13 = 39 mi traveled \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );