SOLUTION: Traveling upstream on the Mississippi River, a barge travels 56 miles in 7 hours. Downstream, it travels the same distance in 4 hours. Find the rate of the barge in still water and

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Question 216258: Traveling upstream on the Mississippi River, a barge travels 56 miles in 7 hours. Downstream, it travels the same distance in 4 hours. Find the rate of the barge in still water and the rate of the current.
I am totally lost on how to do you. Would you please help me?

Answer by checkley77(12844) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
56/7=8 mph. is the speed upstream.
56/4=14 mph. is the speed downstream.
(14-8)/2=6/2=3 mph. is the speed of the current.
Proof:
14-3=11 mph. in still water.
8+3=11 ditto.