SOLUTION: A boy can row a boat at a constant rate of 5 mi/hr in still water. He rows upstream for 30 minutes and then rows downstream, returning to his starting point in another 10 minutes.

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Question 652358: A boy can row a boat at a constant rate of 5 mi/hr in still water. He rows upstream for 30 minutes and then rows downstream, returning to his starting point in another 10 minutes. (Round your answers to two decimal places.)
Upstream net speed= 5-x mph
downstream net speed = 5+x mph
a)Find the rate of the current?
b)Find the total distance traveled?
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A boy can row a boat at a constant rate of 5 mi/hr in still water. He rows upstream for 30 minutes and then rows downstream, returning to his starting point in another 10 minutes. (Round your answers to two decimal places.)
Upstream net speed= 5-x mph
downstream net speed = 5+x mph
------------------
Upstream DATA:
time = 1/2 hr ; rate = 5-x ; distance = r*t = (1/2)(5-x) miles
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Downstream DATA:
time = 1/6 hr ; tate = 5+x ; distance = r*t = (1/6)(5+x) miles
-----
Equation:
distance = distance
(1/2)(5-x) = (1/6)(5+x)
6(5-x) = 2(5+x)
30-6x = 10+2x
8x = 20
x = 5/2 = 2 1/2 mph (speed of the current)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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a)Find the rate of the current?
b)Find the total distance traveled?