Sun, a kayaker, paddles 8 miles upstream (against the current) in 2 hours. Returning to her original location, she paddles downstream (with the current) the same distance in 1 hour. The equations represent x, the paddling speed, and y, the speed of the current. 2 (x - y) = a

Question

Mathematics

Leila Goodman

23 January, 21:56

Sun, a kayaker, paddles 8 miles upstream (against the current) in 2 hours. Returning to her original location, she paddles downstream (with the current) the same distance in 1 hour. The equations represent x, the paddling speed, and y, the speed of the current. 2 (x - y) = a

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Answers (1)

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Jasmine Hood · Answer 1

We calculate both velocities:

upstream 8 miles in 2 hours = 4 miles / hour

downstream 8 miles in 1 hour = 8 miles / hour

ps - stream speed = 4 mph

ps + stream speed = 8 mph

Adding both equations

2 ps = 12 mph

paddling speed = 6 mph

stream speed = 2 mph