The speed of the current in Little River is 2 mph. Brent can paddle 12 miles upstream in the same time it takes him to paddle 20 miles downstream.

Question

The speed of the current in Little River is 2 mph. Brent can paddle 12 miles upstream in the same time it takes him to paddle 20 miles downstream. How fast does he paddle in still water?

Answer 1

(r+2)*t = 20 --> rt + 2t = 20

(r-2)*t = 12 --> rt - 2t = 12

2rt = 32

rt = 16

Per the first equation: rt + 2t = 20

16 + 2t = 20

2t = 4

t=2 --> r = 8

(8+2)*2 = 20

(8-2)*2 = 12

speed is 8