SOLUTION: The current in a stream is 2 mph. Find the speed of the boat in still water if it goes 26 miles downstream in the same amount of time it takes to go 18 miles upstream.

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Question 385442: The current in a stream is 2 mph. Find the speed of the boat in still water if it goes 26 miles downstream in the same amount of time it takes to go 18 miles upstream.
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The current in a stream is 2 mph. Find the speed of the boat in still water if it goes 26 miles downstream in the same amount of time it takes to go 18 miles upstream.
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Let speed of the boat be "b":
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Downstream DATA:
distance = 26 miles ; rate = b+2 mph ; time = 26/(b+2) hrs.
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Upstream DATA:
distance = 18 miles ; rate = b-2 mph; time = 18/(b-2) hrs
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Equation:
time = time
26/(b+2) = 18/(b-2)
26(b-2) = 18(b+2)
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26b-52 = 18b + 36
8b = 88
b = 11 mph (speed of the boat in still water)
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Cheers,
Stan H.