Question

David rowed a boat upstream for three miles and then returned to point he started from.

Answer 1

The speed of the stream: v s = 1 mph
v - David`s speed in still water
( v - 1 ) t 1 = 3
( v + 1 ) t 2 = 3
 t 1 + t 2 = 4
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t 2 = 4 - t 1
3 = ( v - 1 ) * t 1
3 = ( v + 1 ) * ( 4 - t 1 )
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3 = v t 1 - t 1
+
3 = 4 v - v t 1 + 4 - t 1
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6 = 4 v + 4 - 2 t 1
2 = 4 v - 2 t 1
2 t 1 = 4 v - 2    / : 2 ( divide both sides of equation by 2)
t 1 = 2 v - 1
t 2 = 5 - 2 v
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3 = ( v - 1 ) * ( 2 v - 1 )
3 = 2 v² - 3 v + 1
2 v² - 3 v - 2 = 0
v 1/2 = 3+/- √(9 + 16 ) / 4 = (3 + 5)/4 = 8/4 = 2 ( other solution is negative )
Answer: David`s speed in still water is 2 miles per hour.