Question 126841
On a canoe trip, Rita paddled upstream (against the current) at an average speed of 2 mi/h relative to the riverbank. On the return trip downstream (with the current), her average speed was 3 mi/h. Find Rita's paddling speed in still water and the speed of the river's current.
:
Let x = speed in still water
Let y = speed of the current
:
Two equations, one downstream and one downstream
x + y = 3
x - y = 2
-----------adding eliminates y
2x +0 = 5
x = {{{5/2}}}
x = 2.5 mph in still water
:
Find y using x + y = 3; Substitute 2.5 for x
2.5 + y = 3
y = 3 - 2.5
y = .5 mph is the current
:
Check solution in the upstream equation
2.5 - .5 = 2