Problema Solution
Jane rows 6 miles downstream in 1 hour and Anne, rowing 1 mile per hour faster, completes the return trip in 2 hours.
What is the speed of the current, and what is each girl's rowing speed?
If Jane and Anne were rowing separately, who would complete their trip first and by how much? Round to nearest hundredth if necessary.
Answer provided by our tutors
let
j = the rate of Jane
a = the rate of Anne
c = the speed of the current
Jane rows 6 miles downstream in 1 hour:
(j + c)*1 = 6
Anne, rowing 1 mile per hour faster, completes the return trip in 2 hours:
(j + 1 - c)*2 = 6 (since a = j + 1)
by solving the system of equations:
j + c = 6
j + 1 - c = 3
by solving we find:
j = 4 mph
c = 2 mph
click here to see the step by step solution of the system of equations:
Janes speed in still water is 4 mph.
Annes speed in still water 4 + 1 = 5 mph.
The speed of the current is 2 mph.