document.write( "Question 96312: a motor boat can maintain a constant speed of 16 miles per hour relative to the water. The boat makes a trip upstream to a certain point in 20 minutes; the return trip takes 15 minutes. What is the speed of the current? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #70182 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a motor boat can maintain a constant speed of 16 miles per hour relative to the water. The boat makes a trip upstream to a certain point in 20 minutes; the return trip takes 15 minutes. What is the speed of the current?
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Let x = speed of the current
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "(16 + x) = speed downstream
\n" ); document.write( "(16 - x) = speed upstream
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Convert 20 min to hrs: 20/60 = 1/3 hr
\n" ); document.write( "Convert 15 min to hrs: 15/60 = 1/4 hr
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "We know the distance upstream and distance downstream are equal
\n" ); document.write( "Make a distance equation from that fact: Dist = time * speed
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Dist downstream = dist upstream
\n" ); document.write( "\"1%2F4\"(16+x) = \"1%2F3\"(16-x)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Get rid of the denominators, multiply equation by 12, results:
\n" ); document.write( "3(16 + x) = 4(16 - x)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "48 + 3x = 64 - 4x
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "3x + 4x = 64 - 48
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "7x = 16
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "x = 16/7 is the speed to the current
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "That's about 2.3 mph
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Check solution by finding the distances
\n" ); document.write( "1/4(16+2.3) = 4.6 mi
\n" ); document.write( "1/3(16-2.3) = 4.6 mi
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );