document.write( "Question 1137613: A boat moves 6 kilometers upstream in the same amount of time it moves 16 kilometers downstream. If the rate of the current is 8 kilometers per hour, find the rate of the boat in still water.
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Algebra.Com's Answer #755521 by greenestamps(13200) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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\n" ); document.write( "Here are two different ways to set up the problem that lead to different forms of the same proportion that leads to the answer to the problem.

\n" ); document.write( "Let b be the boat's speed; then b+8 is the downstream speed and b-8 is the upstream speed.

\n" ); document.write( "(1) Time = distance / rate. Write and solve the proportion that says the times are the same:

\n" ); document.write( " $\"16%2F%28b%2B8%29+=+6%2F%28b-8%29\"$

\n" ); document.write( "(2) Write and solve the proportion that says the ratio of speeds is the same as the ratio of distances, because the times are the same:

\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28b%2B8%29%2F%28b-8%29+=+16%2F6\"$

\n" ); document.write( "It should be clear that the two proportions are equivalent and so will lead to the same answer.

\n" ); document.write( "Try both methods for setting up the problem; then if you encounter more problems like this, use the method you find is easier for you. \n" ); document.write( "

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