A boat traveled downstream a distance of 32 mi and then came right back. If the speed of the current was 6 mph and the total trip took 4 hours find the average speed of the boat relative to the water.

Answer 1

Let B = speed of the boat in still water and T=time down stream

(B+6)T = 32

and

(B-6)(4-T) = 32

T=32/(B+6)

Substitute

(B-6){4-[32/(B+6)]}

When you multiply this out, clear fractions and collect terms you will have a quadratic equation is the variable B. AT least one of the solutions will be the answer you need.

I will try to think of a simpler method...but I can't think of one right this minute.