SOLUTION: A boat traveled 208 miles downstream and back. The trip downstream took 8 hours. The trip back took 26 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water? What is the speed of

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Question 353675: A boat traveled 208 miles downstream and back. The trip downstream took 8 hours. The trip back took 26 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water? What is the speed of the current?
Found 2 solutions by Fombitz, stanbon:
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Rate*Time=Distance
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Let the boat speed in still water be B, the current speed C.
Downstream:
%28B%2BC%29%2A8=208
1.B%2BC=208%2F8=26
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Upstream:
%28B-C%29%2A26=208
2.B-C=8
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Add eq. 1 and eq. 2,
B%2BC%2BB-C=26%2B8
2B=34
highlight%28B=17%29mph
Then use either equation to solve for C.
17%2BC=26
highlight%28C=9%29mph

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A boat traveled 208 miles downstream and back. The trip downstream took 8 hours. The trip back took 26 hours.
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Downstream DATA:
time = 8 hrs ; distance = 208 miles ; rate = 208/8 = 26 mph
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Upstream DATA:
time = 26 hrs ; distance = 208 mils ; rate = 208/26 = 8 mph
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What is the speed of the boat in still water?
What is the speed of the current?
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Equations:
Downstream Rate: b + c = 26
Upstream Rate::: b - c = 8
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Add to get:
2b = 34
b = 17 mph (speed of the boat in still water)
Since b+c = 26, c = 9 mph (speed of the current)
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Cheers,
Stan H.