SOLUTION: Jonathan and Samantha paddle their canoe 26 miles downstream in 2 hours. After a picnic, they paddle back upstream. After 3 hours they have traveled only 9 miles back. Assuming tha

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Question 1017810: Jonathan and Samantha paddle their canoe 26 miles downstream in 2 hours. After a picnic, they paddle back upstream. After 3 hours they have traveled only 9 miles back. Assuming that they paddle at a constant rate and the river's current is constant, find the speed at which Jonathan and Samantha can paddle in still water.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39616) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Travel rates rule, RT=D to relate rate, time, distacne
              rate         time         distance
DOWN          r+c            2            26
UPST          r-c            3             9

system%28%28r%2Bc%29%2A2=26%2C%28r-c%29%2A3=9%29


system%28%28r%2Bc%29=13%2C%28r-c%29=3%29

system%28r%2Bc=13%2Cr-c=3%29
Simple Elimination Method will quickly give your answers.