Solve the problem.
-Julie and Eric row their boat (at a constant speed)32 miles downstream for 4 hours, helped by the current. Rowing at the same rate, the trip back against the current takes 8 hours. Find the rate of the current.
A)2 mph
B)3 mph
C)1)5 mph
D)6 mph

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rate of the current is 2 mph. To find this, first determine the speed of the boat in still water and the speed with the current. Downstream, they cover 32 miles in 4 hours, so their speed with the current is 32/4 = 8 mph. Upstream, against the current, they take 8 hours to cover the same distance, so their speed against the current is 32/8 = 4 mph. The boat's speed in still water is the average of these two speeds, (8+4)/2 = 6 mph. The current's speed is the difference between the boat's speed in still water and its speed against the current, so 8 - 6 = 2 mph.

Solve the Problem. -Julie and Eric Row Their Boat (At a Constant Speed)32