SOLUTION: This is a word problem from a chapter on Quadratic Equations. The speed of a boat in still water is 10km/hour. The boat travels upstream 24km and 24km downstream in a total time

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Question 720112: This is a word problem from a chapter on Quadratic Equations.
The speed of a boat in still water is 10km/hour. The boat travels upstream 24km and 24km downstream in a total time of 5 hours. What is the speed of the stream?
I know how to solve quadratic equations, so I mainly need to know how to set the problem up, because that's the part that really confuses me.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Speed of the stream, c for "current". You may choose another variable instead.

Direction_________speed_____________time______________distance
Upsteam___________10-c______________(___)_____________24
Downstream________10+c______________(___)_____________24
TOTAL_________________________________5_______________48


Time information has not been filled, so we use speed*time=distance basic fact to find expressions for time in each direction.


Direction_________speed_____________time______________distance
Upsteam___________10-c__________%2824%2F%2810-c%29%29_____________24
Downstream________10%2Bc__________%2824%2F%2810%2Bc%29%29_____________24
TOTAL_____________________________5_________________48

The sum of the times equaling 5 hours will give you the equation to solve for the stream's speed, c. highlight%2824%2F%2810-c%29%2B24%2F%2810%2Bc%29=5%29.