SOLUTION: Orson rides his power boat up and down a canal. The water in the canal flows at 6 miles per hour. Orson takes 5 hours longer to travel 360 miles against the current than he does to

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Question 986147: Orson rides his power boat up and down a canal. The water in the canal flows at 6 miles per hour. Orson takes 5 hours longer to travel 360 miles against the current than he does to travel 360 miles with the current. What is the speed of Orson's boat in still water?
Answer by vleith(2983) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the speed in still water be s
The distance is 360miles each way.
The speed is (s+6) with the current and (s-6) against the current
You are told it takes 5 hours longer against the current.
You know that distance/speed = time
5+=+TimeAgainstCurrent+-+TimeWithCurrent
5+=+%28360%2F%28s-6%29%29+-+%28360%2F%28s%2B6%29%29
5+=+%28360%28s%2B6%29+-+360%28s-6%29%29%2F%28%28s%2B6%29%28s-6%29%29
5%28s%5E2-36%29+=+360s+%2B+2160+-+360s+%2B+2160
5%28s%5E2+-36%29+=+4320
s%5E2+-+36+=+864
s%5E2+=+900
s+=+30
Look out Orsen. If you've ever been on a boat, 30mph is hauling .. especially in a canal. I am sure Orsen will be cautioned by the other boaters when he is zipping along the canal.