SOLUTION: A man rows a boat 630 feet upstream against a constant current in 14 minutes. He then rows 385 feet downstream (with the same current) in 7 minutes. Find the speed of the current a

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Question 863240: A man rows a boat 630 feet upstream against a constant current in 14 minutes. He then rows 385 feet downstream (with the same current) in 7 minutes. Find the speed of the current and the equivalent rate at which he can row in still water.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A man rows a boat 630 feet upstream against a constant current in 14 minutes.
He then rows 385 feet downstream (with the same current) in 7 minutes. Find the speed of the current and the equivalent rate at which he can row in still water.
:
Let s = rowing speed in still water (ft/min)
Let c = rate of the current (ft/min)
:
Write a distance equation for each way. dist = speed * time
14(s-c) = 630
7(s+c) = 385
:
We can simplify both equations, divide the 1st by 14, the 2nd by 7, result:
s - c = 45
s + c = 55
------------Adding eliminates c find s
2s = 100
s = 100/2
s = 50 ft/min is his rowing speed
then
50 + c = 55
c = 5 ft/min is the current
:
:
Check that in the 1st original equation
14(50 - 5) = 630
14(45) = 630
:
You can check it in the 2nd original equation