SOLUTION: A boat can travel 5 miles downstream in the same length of time it travels 3 miles upstream. If the rate of the current is 3 mph, find the speed of the boat in still water. I need

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Question 370896: A boat can travel 5 miles downstream in the same length of time it travels 3 miles upstream. If the rate of the current is 3 mph, find the speed of the boat in still water. I need to create an equation for this word problem as well as find the solution.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A boat can travel 5 miles downstream in the same length of time it travels 3 miles upstream.
If the rate of the current is 3 mph, find the speed of the boat in still water.
:
Let r = speed of boat in still water
then
(r+3) = effective speed downstream
and
(r-3) = effective speed upstream
:
Times are equal so write a time equation; Time = dist/speed
:
Time upstream = Time downstream
3%2F%28r-3%29 = 5%2F%28r%2B3%29
Cross multiply and find r