Going against the current, a boat takes 6 hours to make a 120-mile trip. When the boat travels with the current on the return trip, it takes 5 hours.

If x = the rate of the boat in still water and y = the rate of the current, write an expression that represents the rate of the boat going with the current.

Question

Going against the current, a boat takes 6 hours to make a 120-mile trip. When the boat travels with the current on the return trip, it takes 5 hours.

If x = the rate of the boat in still water and y = the rate of the current, write an expression that represents the rate of the boat going with the current.

anonymous · Answer

The expression of boat going with the current is simply  x+y
& is equal to 120/5  that is (24)

anonymous · Answer

I'm confused, so what's the expression?

phi · Answer

First,  you should know that 
rate *  time = distance

next,  think about a boat in the river.  How fast does it go when it is going downstream?
If it just sits in the water,  the current will carry it downstream at a certain speed:
 y = the rate of the current,

If you start rowing at
x = the rate of the boat in still water

you will go faster.  You will go at a speed of x+y

On the other hand if you go upstream,  the current slows you down, and you go
(x-y)

phi · Answer

Can you answer the question
***write an expression that represents the rate of the boat going with the current.***

?

Use   rate * time = distance
with time= 6 hours to make a distance = 120-mile trip.