document.write( "Question 99494: Debbie traveled by boat 5 miles upstream to fish in her favorite spot. Because of the 4 mph current, it took her 20 minutes longer to get there than to return. How fast will her boat go in still water? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #72489 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! Debbie traveled by boat 5 miles upstream. Because of the 4 mph current, it took her 20 minutes longer to get there than to return. How fast will her boat go in still water? \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Let s = speed of the boat in still water \n" ); document.write( "Then \n" ); document.write( "(s+4) = speed down-stream \n" ); document.write( "and \n" ); document.write( "(s-4) = speed up-stream \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Since we are dealing in mph, change 20 min to hrs: 20/60 = 1/3 hr \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Write a time equation: Time = distance/speed \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Time up-stream - Time down-stream = 1/3 hr \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Multiply equation by 3(s-4)(s+4), eliminates the denominator, resulting in: \n" ); document.write( "3(s+4)*5 - 3(s-4)*5 = (s+4)(s-4) \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "15(s+4) - 15(s-4) = s^2 - 16 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "15s + 60 - 15s + 60 = s^2 - 16 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "120 = s^2 -16 \n" ); document.write( "or \n" ); document.write( "s^2 - 16 = 120 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "s^2 = 120 + 16 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "s^2 = 136 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "s = \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "s = 11.66 mph in still water \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Check solution by finding the times: \n" ); document.write( "5/(11.66-4) = .6527 hrs \n" ); document.write( "5/(11.66+4) = .3193 \n" ); document.write( "------------------- \n" ); document.write( "difference = .3334 hrs which ~ 20 min \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "How about this? Did it make sense to you? \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |