SOLUTION: A motorboat travels 648km in 9 hours going upstream and 588km 6hours going downstream. What is the speed of the boat in still water, and what is the speed of the current?

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: A motorboat travels 648km in 9 hours going upstream and 588km 6hours going downstream. What is the speed of the boat in still water, and what is the speed of the current?       Log On


   

Question 176801: A motorboat travels 648km in 9 hours going upstream and 588km 6hours going downstream. What is the speed of the boat in still water, and what is the speed of the current?

Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
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A motorboat travels 648km in 9 hours going upstream and 588km 6hours going downstream. What is the speed of the boat in still water, and what is the speed of the current?
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Find the speed upstread and downstream:
648km/9hrs = 72 kph
588km/6hrs = 98 kph
The boat speed is the average of the 2 speeds.
(72+98)/2 = 85 kph
The stream speed is the difference:
98-85 = 13 kph
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Boats don't use kph, they use knots.