If a person rows to this favorite fishing spot 17 miles downstream in the same amount of the time he rows 1 mile upstream and if the current is 8mph, find how long it takes him to cover 18 miles
We use the formula : Displacement = Average Velocity * Time ; 17 = ( v + 8 ) * t ; 1 = ( v - 8 ) * t ; where v = the velocity of the boat; t is the time from expression " ... in the same amount of the time he rows ....."
Then 17 / 1 = (v + 8) / ( v - 8 ) ; v + 8 = 17( v - 8 ); v + 8 = 17v - 136 ; 144 = 16v ; v = 144 / 16; v = 9 mph ;