Question 786386
It takes Dan 2 hours to paddle his canoe 16 miles downstream, and 8 hours to return to the campsite. Find the speed of the canoe in still water.

canoe rate =x
current rate = y

downstream rate = x+y.................2 hours..................16 miles
upstream rate = x-y...............8 hours...................16

t=d/r

16/(x+y)=2
simplify

x+y=8

16/(x-y)=8
x-y=2

add the two equations
2x=10

x=5 mph canoe speed