document.write( "Question 556825: It takes James and Bret 15 minutes to travel 5 miles upstream against the current. The return trip downstream with the current takes 10 minutes. The speed of the current remained constant.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I need help with finding their speed for upstream and downstream and then finding the boat and current speeds...
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Algebra.Com's Answer #362282 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
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It takes James and Bret 15 minutes to travel 5 miles upstream against the current. The return trip downstream with the current takes 10 minutes. The speed of the current remained constant.
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\n" ); document.write( "Upstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 5 miles ; time = 1/4 hr ; rate = d/t = 5/(1/4) = 20 mph
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\n" ); document.write( "Downstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 5 miles ; time = 1/6 hr ; rate = d/t = 5/(1/6) = 30 mph
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\n" ); document.write( "Equation:
\n" ); document.write( "b + c = 30 mph
\n" ); document.write( "b - c = 20 mph
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\n" ); document.write( "Add and solve for \"b\":
\n" ); document.write( "2b = 50 mph
\n" ); document.write( "b = 25 mph (speed of the boat in still water)
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\n" ); document.write( "Solve for \"c\":
\n" ); document.write( "b + c = 30
\n" ); document.write( "25 + c = 30
\n" ); document.write( "c = 5 mph (speed of the current)
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\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H.
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