document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1146100>Question 1146100</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A boat traveled 260 miles downstream and back. The trip downstream took 13 hours. he trip back took 26 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water and the speed of the current </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #767404 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13200)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=767404\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "The solution from the other tutor is valid; but it is way more work than is necessary.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Note that the statement of the problem allows two possible interpretations -- 130 miles each direction for a total of 260 miles, or 260 miles each direction.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "I will go with the same interpretation as the other tutor: 260 miles each direction.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Then the downstream speed is 260/13 = 20mph and the upstream speed is 260/26 = 10mph.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now we have a very common type of problem that is easily solved.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "We have a boat speed and a river current speed; the sum of the two (going downstream, with the current) is 20mph, and the difference (going upstream, against the current) is 10mph.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Either simple algebra or even simpler logical reasoning tells us the two speeds are 15mph and 5mph.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "ANSWER: boat speed 15mph; current speed 5mph </SPAN>\n" );
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