SOLUTION: Ashley swam 8 kilometers against the current in the same amount of time it took her to swim 16 kilometers with the current. The rate of the current was 1 kilometer per hour. How f

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Question 1146304: Ashley swam 8 kilometers against the current in the same amount of time it took her to swim 16 kilometers with the current. The rate of the current was 1 kilometer per hour. How fast would Ashley swim if there were no current?
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, greenestamps:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
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The times are the same; so the ratio of distances is the same as the ratio of speeds:

%28r-1%29%2F%28r%2B1%29+=+8%2F16
%28r-1%29%2F%28r%2B1%29+=+1%2F2

You can solve the equation algebraically; however a little insight can lead quickly to an answer.

The difference between the numerator and denominator on the left is 2. So rewrite the fraction on the right as an equivalent fraction where the difference between the numerator and denominator is 2:

%28r-1%29%2F%28r%2B1%29+=+2%2F4

That clearly makes r=3.

ANSWER: Ashley's rate in still water is 3km/hr.