Question 1002776
Call the rate in still water, r.
Call the rate of the current, c.
We have
3(r - c) = 48  or  3r - 3c = 48  or  r - c = 16
2(r + c) = 48  or  2r + 2c = 48  or  r + c = 24
Now add the last two equations and get
2r = 40
r = 20
Now, because r + c = 24,
c = 4 miles per hour.