document.write( "Question 1070433: meralda is kayaking in the grand river which has a downstream flow (current) of 1 mile per hor. She paddles 5 miles downstream and then turns around and paddles 6 miles upstream, the trail takes 3 hours how fast can she paddle in still water? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #685537 by Boreal(15235)\"\" \"About 
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speed*time=distance
\n" ); document.write( "paddling speed in still water is x mph
\n" ); document.write( "x+1*t=5
\n" ); document.write( "coming back is 3-t hours
\n" ); document.write( "(x-1)*(3-t)=6
\n" ); document.write( "t=5/(x+1)
\n" ); document.write( "(3-t)=6/(x-1)
\n" ); document.write( "t=3-[6/(x-1)]
\n" ); document.write( "Set the t s equal to each other
\n" ); document.write( "5/(x+1)=3-[6/(x-1)]=(3x-3-6)/(x-1)=(3x-9)/(x-1)
\n" ); document.write( "cross-multiply
\n" ); document.write( "5x-5=(3x-9)(x+1)=3x^2-6x-9
\n" ); document.write( "0=3x^2-11x-4
\n" ); document.write( "(3x+1)(x-4)=0
\n" ); document.write( "positive root only, x=4 mph in still water ANSWER
\n" ); document.write( "check
\n" ); document.write( "downstream at 5mph takes 1 hour
\n" ); document.write( "upstream at 3 mph takes 2 hours
\n" ); document.write( "adds to 3 hours.\r
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