Question 1130467
.
<pre>
If x is the rate of the canoe in still water, then

    (x+3) mph is the effective speed downstream,  and

    (x-3) mph is the effective speed   upstream.


So,  {{{10/(x+3)}}} is the time downstream, while  {{{10/(x-3)}}}  is the time upstream, so the "time" equation is


    {{{10/(x+3)}}} + {{{10/(x-3)}}} = 3.5   hours.     (*)


At this point the setup is completed.


To complete the solution, reduce equation (*) to a quadratic equation by multiplying its both sides by 2*(x+3)*(x-3) and solve.


The rest is just arithmetic.
</pre>

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To see many similar solved problems, &nbsp;look into the lessons

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/travel/Wind-and-Current-problems.lesson>Wind and Current problems</A> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/travel/More-problems-on-upstream-and-downstream-round-trips.lesson>More problems on upstream and downstream round trips</A> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/travel/Wind-and-Current-problems-solvable-by-quadratic-equations.lesson>Wind and Current problems solvable by quadratic equations</A> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/travel/Unpowered-raft-moving-downstream-along-a-river.lesson>Unpowered raft floating downstream along a river</A>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/travel/Selected-problems-from-the-archive-on-a-boat-floating-Upstream-and-Downstream.lesson>Selected problems from the archive on the boat floating Upstream and Downstream</A> 

in this site, where you will find other similar solved problems with detailed explanations.


Read them attentively and learn how to solve this type of problems once and for all.


Also, &nbsp;you have this free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I in this site

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson>ALGEBRA-I - YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK</A>.


The referred lessons are the part of this textbook under the section "<U>Word problems</U>", &nbsp;the topic "<U>Travel and Distance problems</U>".



Save the link to this online textbook together with its description


Free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson


to your archive and use it when it is needed.