SOLUTION: Maria can paddle her canoe 2 miles upstream against the current in the same time it would take her to paddle 6 miles downstream. Maria can paddle 2mph in still water. What is the s

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Question 893391: Maria can paddle her canoe 2 miles upstream against the current in the same time it would take her to paddle 6 miles downstream. Maria can paddle 2mph in still water. What is the speed of the current?

Please help.. God bless you and Thank you so much
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Maria can paddle her canoe 2 miles upstream against the current in the same time it would take her to paddle 6 miles downstream.
Maria can paddle 2mph in still water.
What is the speed of the current?
:
let c = the rate of the current
then
(2-c) = effective speed upstream
and
(2+c) = effective speed downstream
:
Write a time equation; time = dist/speed
Two mi upstr time = six mi downstr time
2%2F%28%282-c%29%29 = 6%2F%28%282%2Bc%29%29
Cross multiply
2(2+c) = 6(2-c)
4 + 2c = 12 - 6c
2c + 6c = 12 - 4
8c = 8
c = 1 mph is the current
:
:
Check this, find the time each way,
effective speed down: 2 + 1 = 3 mph
effective speed up: 2 - 1 = 1 mph
6/3 = 2 hr
2/1 = 2 hrs