SOLUTION: A motorboat can travel 20 mph in still water. If the boat can travel 3 miles downstream in the same time it takes to travel 2 miles upstream, what is the rate of the current?

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Question 544511: A motorboat can travel 20 mph in still water. If the boat can travel 3 miles downstream in the same time it takes to travel 2 miles upstream, what is the rate of the current?
Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Boat speed = 20 mph
current speed = x mph

speed against current 20 - x
speed with current 20 + x

Distance against current 2 miles
Distance with current 3 miles

t=d/r time against = time with current
2/(20-x )=3/(20 +x)
2(20+x )= 3( 20-x )
40+2x = 60-3x
3x +2x=20
5x=20
/5
x = 4 mph current speed