SOLUTION: I paddle 8 miles down a river. In two hours the return trip takes me 4 hours. What is the speed of the current?

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Question 898374: I paddle 8 miles down a river. In two hours the return trip takes me 4 hours. What is the speed of the current?
Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
distance = 8
let speed of boat be x
speed of current be y
down stream speed = x+y
upstream speed = x-y
time down stream = 2
time upstream = 4
t=d/r
8/(x+y )= 2
x-y=4...............(1)
8/(x-y)= 4
x-y =2..............(2)
solve (1) & (2)
2x=6
x=3
y=1