SOLUTION: Can you please help me with this question ? : A boat travels at a speed of 20km/hr in still water. It travels 48 km upstream and then returns to the starting point in a total of 5

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: Can you please help me with this question ? : A boat travels at a speed of 20km/hr in still water. It travels 48 km upstream and then returns to the starting point in a total of 5      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 792950: Can you please help me with this question ? : A boat travels at a speed of 20km/hr in still water. It travels 48 km upstream and then returns to the starting point in a total of 5 hours. Find the speed of the current in km/hr.
I tried doing it and formed an equation 48km/20-x +48/20+x = 5hours
I solved this and got that the speed of the current is 16km/hr. Is this right?
Answer by psbhowmick(878) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the speed of the current be x km/hr.

So speed of the boat relative to the current while going upstream = (20-x) km/hr.
Speed of the boat relative to the current while going downstream = (20+x) km/hr.

Time for going upstream = 48/(20-x) hr.
Time for going downstream = 48/(20+x) hr.

Total time taken is: 48/(20-x) + 48/(20+x) = 5

Solve the above equation for x and get the answer.

Cheers!!!