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    SaraP's Avatar
    SaraP Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Feb 9, 2011, 02:09 PM
    Quadratic word problem
    The Hudson River flows at a rate of 3 miles per hour. A patrol boat travels 60 miles upriver, and returns in a total of 9 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water?
    jcaron2's Avatar
    jcaron2 Posts: 986, Reputation: 204
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    #2

    Feb 9, 2011, 04:02 PM

    distance upstream = (rate upstream) x (time upstream)
    distance downstream = (rate downstream) x (time downstream)

    You know the distance both upstream and downstream.

    You don't know the rate, but if the boat's speed in still water is r, its upstream speed will be r-3, and its downstream speed will be r+3.

    You don't know the time upstream or the time downstream, but you know the total time (upstream + downstream) was 9 hours.

    That should give you three equations for your three unknowns (r, time_upstream, and time_downstream).
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