SOLUTION: 1) Pat and Sue can paddle a canoe upstream 6 miles in two hours. In the same amount of time they can paddle downstream 14 miles. What is the speed of the current and how fast can
Algebra ->
Customizable Word Problem Solvers
-> Travel
-> SOLUTION: 1) Pat and Sue can paddle a canoe upstream 6 miles in two hours. In the same amount of time they can paddle downstream 14 miles. What is the speed of the current and how fast can
Log On
Question 705593: 1) Pat and Sue can paddle a canoe upstream 6 miles in two hours. In the same amount of time they can paddle downstream 14 miles. What is the speed of the current and how fast can they paddle the canoe in still water?
A) Define the variables
B) Write the equations
C) Solve the equations
D) State the answers
Distance against 6 miles distance with 14 miles
t=d/r against current -
6 / ( x - y )= 2
2 ( x - y ) = 6
2 x - 2 y = 6 ....................1
14 / ( x + y )= 2
2 ( x + y ) = 14
2 x + 2 y = 14 ...............2
Multiply (1) by 1
Multiply (2) by 1
we get y
2 x + -2 y = 6
2 x + 2 = 14
4 x = 20
/ 4
x = 5 mph
plug value of x in (1) y
2 x -2 y = 6
10 -2 -10 = 6
-2 y = 6
-2 y = -4 mph
y = 2
canoe speed 5 mph
current speed 2 mph
