SOLUTION: A boy rows his boat 8 km downstream in 1 hour and 4 min, and returns in 2 2/7 hours. At what rate will he row in still water? What is the rate of the current?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: A boy rows his boat 8 km downstream in 1 hour and 4 min, and returns in 2 2/7 hours. At what rate will he row in still water? What is the rate of the current?       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 152450: A boy rows his boat 8 km downstream in 1 hour and 4 min, and returns in
2 2/7 hours. At what rate will he row in still water? What is the rate
of the current?

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A boy rows his boat 8 km downstream in 1 hour and 4 min, and returns in
2 2/7 hours. At what rate will he row in still water? What is the rate
of the current?
:
Let x = his rowing rate in still water
Let y = rate of the current
then
(x+y) = his rate down stream
(x-y) = his rate up stream
:
Convert 4 min to hrs: 4/60 = 1/15 hr
:
write a distance equation for each trip; dist = time * rate
;
11%2F15(x+y) = 8
22%2F7(x-y) = 8
Convert to improper fractions:
16%2F15(x+y) = 8
16%2F7(x-y) = 8
:
Multiply each equation by the denominator to get rid of the denominators
16(x+y) = 15(8)
16(x-y) = 7(8)
:
16x + 16y = 120
16x - 16y = 56
--------------------adding eliminates y, find x
32x + 0y = 176
x = 176%2F32
x = 51%2F2 km/hr is the rowing rate
:
Find the current using the simplified equation: 16x + 16y = 120; (x=5.5)
16(5.5) + 16y = 120
88 + 16y = 120
16y = 120 - 88
16y = 32
y = 32%2F16
y = 2 km/hr is the current rate
:
:
Check our solutions in the 2nd original equation; 16%2F7(x-y) = 8
16%2F7(51%2F2 - 2) = 8
16%2F7*31%2F2 = 8
16%2F7*7%2F2 = 8
16%2F2 = 8; confirms our solutions