SOLUTION: I need some help with this problem. The speed of a mototboat in still water is 15 mi/hr. If it takes the motorboat the same time to go 15 mi upstream the river as it takes to go

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: I need some help with this problem. The speed of a mototboat in still water is 15 mi/hr. If it takes the motorboat the same time to go 15 mi upstream the river as it takes to go      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 74280: I need some help with this problem.
The speed of a mototboat in still water is 15 mi/hr. If it takes the motorboat the same time to go 15 mi upstream the river as it takes to go 30 mi
downstream, what is the speed of the current?
Thank You!
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The speed of a mototboat in still water is 15 mi/hr. If it takes the motorboat the same time to go 15 mi upstream the river as it takes to go 30 mi
downstream, what is the speed of the current?
--------------
Let the rate of the current be "x":
Upstream DATA:
Distance = 15 mi ; rate = 15-x ; time = d/r = 15(15-x) mph
-----------
Downstream DATA:
Distance = 30 mi ; rate = 15+x ; time = d/r = 30/(15+x) mph
-------------
EQUATION:
time up = time down
15/(15-x) = 30/(15+x)
Divide both sides by 15 to get:
1/(15-x) = 2/(15+x)
15+x = 2(15-x)
15+x = 30-2x
3x=15
x=5 mph
The speed of the current is 5 mph
---------------
Cheers,
Stan H.