document.write( "Question 91212: A sailboat travels 20 miles downstream in 3 hours. It returns in 4 hours. Find the speed of the sailboat in still water and the rate of the current. (using the 5- step method ) \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #66194 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A sailboat travels 20 miles downstream in 3 hours. It returns in 4 hours. Find the speed of the sailboat in still water and the rate of the current.
\n" ); document.write( "---------
\n" ); document.write( "Draw the picture:
\n" ); document.write( "Symbolize the DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "Downstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance= 20 miles; time = 3 hrs ; rate = 20/3 hrs
\n" ); document.write( "--------
\n" ); document.write( "Upstream DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 20 miles; time = 4 hrs ; rate = 20/4 = 5 hrs
\n" ); document.write( "---------------
\n" ); document.write( "Let speed in still water be \"b\"
\n" ); document.write( "Let speed of the current be \"c\"
\n" ); document.write( "-----------------
\n" ); document.write( "EQUATION:
\n" ); document.write( "b+c=20/3
\n" ); document.write( "b-c=5
\n" ); document.write( "-----------
\n" ); document.write( "Add the two equations:
\n" ); document.write( "2b = 35/3
\n" ); document.write( "b = 35/6 mph (speed of the boat in still water)
\n" ); document.write( "Solve for c:
\n" ); document.write( "35/6 + c = 40/6
\n" ); document.write( "c=5/6 mph (speed of the current)
\n" ); document.write( "===============
\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H.
\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );