document.write( "Question 1162960: A coast guard cutter can sail 200 miles against the current in the same amount of time it can sail 260 miles with the current. If the current is 3 miles per hour, how fast can the cutter sail in still water? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #786888 by greenestamps(13200)\"\" \"About 
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\n" ); document.write( "The other tutor demonstrates one good algebraic method for solving the problem: setting the two time (=distance/rate) expressions equal to each other and solving the equation.

\n" ); document.write( "\"260%2F%28r%2B3%29+=+200%2F%28r-3%29\"

\n" ); document.write( "If you are good with mental arithmetic, the problem can be solved without algebra by setting up the problem differently.

\n" ); document.write( "Since the times are the same, the ratio of distances is equal to the ratio of the speeds:

\n" ); document.write( "\"260%2F200+=+%28r%2B3%29%2F%28r-3%29\"

\n" ); document.write( "The difference between numerator and denominator on the right is 6 -- so write the fraction on the left as an equivalent fraction in which the difference between numerator and denominator is also 6:

\n" ); document.write( "\"26%2F20+=+%28r%2B3%29%2F%28r-3%29\"

\n" ); document.write( "r+3 = 26 and r-3 = 20...

\n" ); document.write( "ANSWER: r = 23

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