SOLUTION: A motorboat traveling with the current went 72 miles in 4 hours. Going against the current, it tool 6 hours to travel the same distance. Find the rate of the boat in calm water a

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: A motorboat traveling with the current went 72 miles in 4 hours. Going against the current, it tool 6 hours to travel the same distance. Find the rate of the boat in calm water a      Log On


   

Question 536948: A motorboat traveling with the current went 72 miles in 4 hours. Going against the current, it tool 6 hours to travel the same distance. Find the rate of the boat in calm water and the rate of the current. I came up with 15 mph for the rate of the boat and 3 mph for the rate of the current. Can someone tell me if these are correct?
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, lmeeks54:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
That's correct.

Answer by lmeeks54(111) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You've got it. 72 miles in 4 hours is 18 mph going downstream. The same 72 miles upstream takes 6 hours, that's 12 mph. If the boat's speed is constant and the current is constant, then you can assume the boat goes a constant 15 mph in calm water and is thus sped up 3 mph downstream and slowed down 3 mph upstream.
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Great job,
Lee