SOLUTION: A fishing boat traveled 3 hours against a 6km/hr current. The Return trip took only 2 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water.

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Question 147407: A fishing boat traveled 3 hours against a 6km/hr current. The Return trip took only 2 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water.
Answer by Electrified_Levi(103) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hi, Hope I can help
A fishing boat traveled 3 hours against a 6km/hr current. The Return trip took only 2 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water.
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Distance=(rate)(time)
It can also be put like this.
(rate)(time)=(rate)(time)
We already know the time 3 hours, and 2 hours
We have to find the speed of the boat.
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speed of the boat in still water = "x"
speed of the boat against current = (x - 6)(current slows the boat's speed)
speed of the boat with the current = (x + 6)(current speeds up the boat's speed)
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Now we can solve "x"
We know both the speed(rate) and the time.
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(rate)(time)=(rate)(time)
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(x - 6)(3)= (x + 6)(2)
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3(x - 6)= 2(x + 6)
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We will use the distributive property
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3x - 18 = 2x + 12
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We will subtract 2x from both sides
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x - 18 = 0 + 12
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Now add 18 to both sides
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x - 0 = 18 + 12
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x = 30
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The fishing boat went 30 km./hr in still water
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3(30 - 6)= 2(30 + 6)
3(24)=2(36)
(72)=(72)
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It went 72 miles each way, 144 miles all together
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Hope I helped, Levi