SOLUTION: A boat travels at 36 mph downstream. Against the current, the boat travels at 20 mph. How fast is the boat in still water and how fast is the current? Be sure to tell me how fa

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Question 718144: A boat travels at 36 mph downstream. Against the current, the boat travels at 20 mph. How fast is the boat in still water and how fast is the current?

Be sure to tell me how fast each one is. Don't just tell me your answers.
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A boat travels at 36 mph downstream. Against the current, the boat travels at 20 mph. How fast is the boat in still water and how fast is the current?
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Equations:
Downstream: b + c = 36
Upstream:: b - c = 20
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Add and solve for "b":
2b = 56
b = 28 mph (speed of the boat in still water)
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Solve for "c" using b + c = 36
28 + c = 36
c = 8 mph (speed of the current)
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Cheers,
Stan H.