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)\"\" \"About 
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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?
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\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
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\n" ); document.write( "Since we are dealing in mph, change 20 min to hrs: 20/60 = 1/3 hr
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\n" ); document.write( "Write a time equation: Time = distance/speed
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\n" ); document.write( "Time up-stream - Time down-stream = 1/3 hr
\n" ); document.write( "\"5%2F%28%28s-4%29%29\" - \"5%2F%28%28s%2B4%29%29\" = \"1%2F3\"
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\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)
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\n" ); document.write( "15(s+4) - 15(s-4) = s^2 - 16
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\n" ); document.write( "15s + 60 - 15s + 60 = s^2 - 16
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\n" ); document.write( "120 = s^2 -16
\n" ); document.write( "or
\n" ); document.write( "s^2 - 16 = 120
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\n" ); document.write( "s^2 = 120 + 16
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\n" ); document.write( "s^2 = 136
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\n" ); document.write( "s = \"sqrt%28136%29\"
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\n" ); document.write( "s = 11.66 mph in still water
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\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
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\n" ); document.write( "difference = .3334 hrs which ~ 20 min
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\n" ); document.write( "How about this? Did it make sense to you?
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