document.write( "Question 74280: I need some help with this problem.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The speed of a mototboat in still water is 15 mi/hr. If it takes the motorboat the same time to go 15 mi upstream the river as it takes to go 30 mi
\n" ); document.write( "downstream, what is the speed of the current?\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Thank You!
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Algebra.Com's Answer #53276 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The speed of a mototboat in still water is 15 mi/hr. If it takes the motorboat the same time to go 15 mi upstream the river as it takes to go 30 mi
\n" ); document.write( "downstream, what is the speed of the current?
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\n" ); document.write( "Let the rate of the current be \"x\":
\n" ); document.write( "Upstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "Distance = 15 mi ; rate = 15-x ; time = d/r = 15(15-x) mph
\n" ); document.write( "-----------
\n" ); document.write( "Downstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "Distance = 30 mi ; rate = 15+x ; time = d/r = 30/(15+x) mph
\n" ); document.write( "-------------
\n" ); document.write( "EQUATION:
\n" ); document.write( "time up = time down
\n" ); document.write( "15/(15-x) = 30/(15+x)
\n" ); document.write( "Divide both sides by 15 to get:
\n" ); document.write( "1/(15-x) = 2/(15+x)
\n" ); document.write( "15+x = 2(15-x)
\n" ); document.write( "15+x = 30-2x
\n" ); document.write( "3x=15
\n" ); document.write( "x=5 mph
\n" ); document.write( "The speed of the current is 5 mph
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\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H.
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