document.write( "Question 996067: a canoeist travels 4 miles downstream in 1 hour. the return trip takes 1.5 hours.Write the equations to solve the problem. what's the rate of the boat in still water \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #614696 by MathTherapy(10552) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!

\n" ); document.write( "a canoeist travels 4 miles downstream in 1 hour. the return trip takes 1.5 hours.Write the equations to solve the problem. what's the rate of the boat in still water
\n" ); document.write( "

Let speed of boat, in still water be S, and speed of current, C
\n" );
document.write( "Total speed downstream is: S + C
\n" );
document.write( "Total speed upstream is: S – C
\n" );
document.write( "The downstream speed equation is thus formed: ___S + C = 4___C = 4 - S ---- eq (i)
\n" );
document.write( "The upstream speed equation is also formed: , or 1.5S - 1.5C = 4 -------- eq (ii)
\n" );
document.write( "1.5S - 1.5(4 – S) = 4 ---------- Substituting 4 – S for C in eq (ii)
\n" );
document.write( "1.5S - 6 + 1.5S = 4
\n" );
document.write( "1.5S + 1.5S = 4 + 6
\n" );
document.write( "3S = 10
\n" );
document.write( "S, or speed of boat in still water = , or  mph \n" );
document.write( "

\n" );