SOLUTION: A motor boat travels 3 times as fast as the current. A trip up the river and back takes 10 hr, and the total distance of the trip is 100 km. Find the speed of the current.

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Question 693511: A motor boat travels 3 times as fast as the current. A trip up the river and back takes 10 hr, and the total distance of the trip is
100 km. Find the speed of the current.

Answer by checkley79(3341) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
D=RT
50=(3X-X)T UP STREAM.
T=50/(2X)
50=(3X+X)T DOWN STREAM.
T=50/(4X)
ADD THE 2 T EQUATIONS & SOLVE FOR X.
50/(2X)+50/(4X)=10
(50*2+50)/4X=10
(100+50)/4X=10
150/4X=10
4X*10=150
40X=150
X=150/40
X=3.75 KPH. IS THE SPEED OF THE CURRENT.
3*3.75=11.25 KPH. IS THE SPEED OF THE BOAT.
PROOF:
50/2*3.75+50/4*3.75=10
50/7.5+50/15=10
6.67+3.33=10
10=10