Question

A kayaker travels x miles per hour downstream for 4 hours. On the 6-hour return trip, the kayaker travels 2 mile per hour slower. How far did the kayaker travel in total? The kayaker traveled miles.

Answer 1

                              time       *      rate          =       distance

Downstream           4           *       x              =          4(x)

Upstream                6           *     x - 2           =        6(x - 2)

distance downstream = distance upstream:

                              4(x) = 6(x - 2)

                               4x  = 6x - 12

                              -2x  =   -12

                                 x   =    6

Distance Upstream: 4x   = 4(6)   = 24

Distance Upstream: 6(x - 2)  = 6(6 - 2)   = 6(4)   = 24

Total distance traveled is Upstream + Downstream = 24 + 24 = 48

Answer: 48 miles