SOLUTION: Janet and Michael took a canoeing trip, traveling 6 miles upstream along a river, against a 2 mi/h current. They then returned downstream to the starting point of their trip. If th

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: Janet and Michael took a canoeing trip, traveling 6 miles upstream along a river, against a 2 mi/h current. They then returned downstream to the starting point of their trip. If th      Log On


   

Question 1157671: Janet and Michael took a canoeing trip, traveling 6 miles upstream along a river, against a 2 mi/h current. They then returned downstream to the starting point of their trip. If their entire trip took 4 hours, what was their rate in still water?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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traveling 6 miles upstream along a river, against a 2 mi/h current. They then returned downstream to the starting point of their trip. If their entire trip took 4 hours, what was their rate in still water?
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Description did not involve any traveling done in still water; only in MOVING water, with and against the current.

Upstream, if r is speed of canoe in absence of current
6%2F%28r-2%29%2B6%2F%28r%2B2%29=4
Solve for r, the speed of canoe in still water.

Simplification gives r%5E2-3r-4=0
%28r-4%29%28r%2B1%29=0
highlight%28r=4%29

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check:
6%2F%284-2%29%2B6%2F%284%2B2%29
6%2F2%2B6%2F6
3%2B1
4giventotaltime