SOLUTION: an excursion boat takes 1.5 times as long to go 360 miles up a river than to return. If the boat cruises at 15 miles per hour in still water, what is the rate of the current?

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Question 576168: an excursion boat takes 1.5 times as long to go 360 miles up a river than to return. If the boat cruises at 15 miles per hour in still water, what is the rate of the current?
Answer by lwsshak3(11628) About Me  (Show Source):
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an excursion boat takes 1.5 times as long to go 360 miles up a river than to return. If the boat cruises at 15 miles per hour in still water, what is the rate of the current?
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let c = rate of speed current
15-c = rate of speed of boat going up river
15+c = rate of speed of boat on return trip
travel time = distance/speed
..
360/(15-c)=(1.5)360/(15+c)
LCD:(15-c)(15+c)
360(15+c)=(1.5)(360)(15-c)
divide by 360
15+c=1.5(15-c)
15+c=22.5-1.5c
2.5c=7.5
c=3
ans:
rate of speed current = 3 mph