SOLUTION: Can anyone help me solve this Im stuck a fisherman is traveling on Pearl River took twice as long to travel 60 miles upstream in his boat that down stream. If the boats speed is

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: Can anyone help me solve this Im stuck a fisherman is traveling on Pearl River took twice as long to travel 60 miles upstream in his boat that down stream. If the boats speed is      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 633581: Can anyone help me solve this Im stuck
a fisherman is traveling on Pearl River took twice as long to travel 60 miles upstream in his boat that down stream. If the boats speed is 25 miles per hour in still water, find 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
Boat's speed going upstream = +25+-+c+
Boat's speed going downstream = +25+%2B+c+
-------------
going upstream:
(1) +60+=+%28+25+-+c+%29%2A2t+
going downstream:
(2) +60+=+%28+25+%2B+c+%29%2At+
--------------------
(2) +60+=+25t+%2B+c%2At+
(2) +c%2At+=+60+-+25t+
(2) +c+=+60%2Ft+-+25+
-----------------
Substitute (2) into (1)
(1) +60+=+%28+25+-+60%2Ft+%2B+25+%29%2A2t+
(1) +60+=+50t+-+120+%2B+50t+
(1) +100t+=+180+
(1) +t+=+1.8+ hrs
and
(2) +60+=+%28+25+%2B+c+%29%2A1.8+
(2) +60+=+45+%2B+1.8c+
(2) +1.8c+=+15+
(2) +c+=+8.333+ mi/hr
check answer:
(1) +60+=+%28+25+-+8.333+%29%2A2t+
(1) +60+=+16.666%2A2t+
(1) +t+=+60+%2F+33.333+
(1) +t+=+1.8+
and
(2) +60+=+%28+25+%2B+8.333+%29%2A1.8+
(2) +60+=+45+%2B+15+
(2) +60+=+60+
OK