A river's current is 4mph. A boat travels 48 miles downstream in the same time it travels 24 miles upstream. Find the speed of the boat.

A) What does the variable stand for?

x stands for the speed of the boat.

B) Write the equation.

24/x - 4 = 48/x + 4

C) Solve.

24/x - 4 = 48/x + 4

24(x + 4) = 48(x - 4)

24x + 96 = 48x - 192

288/24 = 24x/24

mph 12 = x

D) Write the answer in a complete sentence.

The speed of the boat will be 12 miles per hour.

Is this correct?

Yes, it is correct. The upstream speed relative to land (8 mph) is half the downstream speed (16 mph), as required.

Thanks

Yes, that is correct.

Yes, that is correct. The speed of the boat will be 12 miles per hour.