SOLUTION: You can travel by boat 8 miles downstream in the same amount of time it takes you to travel 4 miles upstream. What is the speed of the current?

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Lessons -> SOLUTION: You can travel by boat 8 miles downstream in the same amount of time it takes you to travel 4 miles upstream. What is the speed of the current?       Log On


   

Question 727285: You can travel by boat 8 miles downstream in the same amount of time it takes you to travel 4 miles upstream. What is the speed of the current?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +c+ = the speed of the current
The time, +t+ is the same for both trips
------------------
The speed going downstream minus the speed of the current
equals the speed going upstream plus the speed of the current
+8%2Ft++-+c+=+4%2Ft+%2B+c+
+2c+=+8%2Ft+-+4%2Ft+
+c+=+4%2Ft+-+2%2Ft+
+c+=+2%2Ft+
-----------