Answer:
1 mile/hr
Explanation:
Let the Speed of the boat still in water = a
Speed of the current = b
We know from this formula that speed = distance/time
Hence,
A canoe traveled Downstream with the current and went a distance of 15 miles in three hours.
Downstream = a + b = 15/3
a + b = 5 .........Equation 1
On the return trip, the canoe traveled Upstream against the current. It took 5 hours to make the return trip.
Upstream = a - b = 15/5
a - b = 3 ..............Equation 2
Combining both Equation together
a + b = 5 .........Equation 1
a - b = 3 ..............Equation 2
Subtracting Equation 2 from Equation 1
2b = 2
b = 2/2
b = 1miles/hr
Since b = speed of the current which can also be called rate of the current, the rate of the current = 1 miles/hr