Question 1108941:  Sue rowed her boat across Lake Bend and back in 3 hours. IF her rate returning was 3 mph less than the rate going, and if the distance each was 7 miles, find her rate going.  
I already tried doing this problem and the answer(s) that I got was 1.19 going and 1.81 returning. [the answers were rounded). 
 Answer by KMST(5328)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! Her rate returning was 3 mph LESS than the rate going, 
so her rate going could not have been 1.19 mph. 
  
 = Sue's rowing rate (speed) going (in mph) is what we are asked for. 
 = Sue's rowing rate returning (in mph) 
Each way was 7 miles, so it took Sue 
  hours for the going across, and 
  hours for the return trip. 
The total time in hours was 
  
We need to solve that equation for   . 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The solutions to that equation are   , 
which round to approximately   and   . 
However,   would make   , 
and we cannot have a negative speed. 
So, with a more reasonable number of significant digits, 
we could say that Sue's rate going across was   , 
which would make the rate   for the return trip. 
That would have made the approximate rowing times 
    going across the lake, and 
    returning.
 
 
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