please help with this

Question

Mr. Mike traveled downstream at 20 mph in his canoe. After paddling for a while, he

turned around and paddled back upstream to where he left from. On the way back he averaged 8

mph on the way back. What was the speed he was paddling at and the speed of the current?

Answer 1

Let p = paddling speed and c = current speed

p + c = 20 --> c = 20-p

p - c = 8

Add the two equations to eliminate c

2p = 28

p = 14

c = 20-p = 20-14 = 6

Paddling speed is 14 mph and the water current speed is 6 mph.

Answer 2

20 = r+ c

8 = r-c

add to eliminate one variable and solve for the other, to get

20+8 = 2r +c-c = 2r

28 = 2r

r = 14 mph in still water

c= 6 mph = speed of the current

14+6 = 20 downstream speed

14- 6 = 8 upstream speed