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, which of the following expressions represents the rate of the boat going with the current?

Answer 1

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)

Answer 2

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.