SOLUTION: I'm supposed to use the five step method to solve this, but no quite sure what that is. The problem is:
A sailboat travels 20 miles downstream in three hours. It returns in four
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A sailboat travels 20 miles downstream in three hours. It returns in four
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Question 116318This question is from textbook
: I'm supposed to use the five step method to solve this, but no quite sure what that is. The problem is:
A sailboat travels 20 miles downstream in three hours. It returns in four hours. Find the speed of the sailboat in still water and the rate of the current. This question is from textbook
You can put this solution on YOUR website! A sailboat travels 20 miles downstream in three hours. It returns in four hours. Find the speed of the sailboat in still water and the rate of the current.
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Downstream DATA:
Distance = 20 miles ; time = 3 hrs ; rate = 20/3 mph
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Upstream DATA:
Distance = 20 miles ; time = 4 hrs ; rate = 20/4 = 5 mph
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Let the speed of the boat be "b" ; Let the speed of the current be "c"
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EQUATIONS:
b+c = 20/3 mph
b-c = 5 mph
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2b = 20/3 + 15/3 = 35/3
b = 35/6 = 5 5/6 mph (speed of the boat in still water)
Substitute to solve for "c":
35/6 + c = 20/3
c = 40/6-35/6
c = 5/6 mph (speed of the current)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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