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A motorboat travels miles in hours going upstream. It travels miles going downstream in the same amount of time. What is the rate of the boat in still water and what is the rate of the current

User Raul Pinto
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1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

x = 49 mi/hr

y = 6 mi/hr

Explanation:

A motorboat travels 258mi in 6 hours going upstream. It travels 330mi going downstream in same amount of time. What's the rate of the boat in still water and what is the rate of the current.

Let

x = the speed of the boat in still water.

y = the speed of the stream

The speed upstream is x - y

The speed downstream is x + y

Distance = rate × time

258 = (x - y)6 (1)

330 = (x + y)6 (2)

From (1)

x - y = 43 (3)

From (2)

x + y = 55 (4)

x - y = 43 (3)

x + y = 55 (4)

Add the equations to eliminate y

x + x = 43 + 55

2x = 98

x = 98/2

x = 49 mi/hr

Substitute x = 49 into (4)

x + y = 55 (4)

49 + y = 55

y = 55 - 49

y = 6 mi/hr

User Peter Dolberg
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