Precalculus (6th Edition) Blitzer

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13446-914-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-13446-914-0

Chapter 7 - Section 7.1 - Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables - Exercise Set - Page 819: 63

Answer

The average velocity of the boat in still water is $6$ km/h and that of the current is $2$ km/h.

Work Step by Step

Step 1. Assume the average velocity of the boat in still water is $x$ km/h and that of the current is $y$ km/h. Step 2. When traveling with the stream, the total average velocity is $x+y$; thus $2(x+y)=16$ or $x+y=8$ Step 3. When traveling against the stream, the resulting average velocity is $x-y$; thus $4(x-y)=16$ or $x-y=4$ Step 4. Adding the two equations, we get $2x=12$; thus $x=6$ and $y=2$.
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