SOLUTION: A boat traveled 210 miles downstream and back. The trip downstream took 10 hours. The trip back took 70 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water? What is the speed o

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: A boat traveled 210 miles downstream and back. The trip downstream took 10 hours. The trip back took 70 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water? What is the speed o      Log On


   

Question 1193445: A boat traveled 210 miles downstream and back. The trip downstream took 10 hours. The trip back took 70 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water? What is the speed of the current?
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, ikleyn:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
c speed of current
r speed of boat if no current

system%28r%2Bc=210%2F10%2Cr-c=210%2F70%29
.
.
--------------------------------------------------------------

system%28r%2Bc=21%2Cr-c=3%29
add:
2r=24
highlight%28r=12%29

subtr:
2c=18
highlight%28c=9%29

Answer by ikleyn(52803) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
A boat traveled 210 miles downstream and back. The trip downstream took 10 hours.
The trip back took 70 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water? What is the speed of the current?
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Is 210 miles one way distance or the total round trip ?

Your formulation does not allow to distinct between these two different cases.


Lowest level score to the problem's composer for his inability to formulate clearly.