Q:

A powerboat take some 30 mins to travel 10 miles downstream. The return trip takes 50 mins. What is the speed of the current?Help please!

Accepted Solution

A:
Step-by-step explanation:Downstream DATA: time = (1/2) hr ; distance = 10 miles ; rate = d/r = 20 mph ------ Upstream DATA: time = (5/6) hr ; distance = 10 miles ; rate = 10/(5/6) = 12 mph --------  Equations: b + c = 20 mph b - c = 12 mph ------------------------- 2b = 32 b = 16 (Speed of the boat in still water) c = 4 mph (speed of the current)