A kayaker paddled 2 hours with a 6 mph current in a river. The return trip against the same current took 3 hours. Find the speed the kayaker would make in still water.

Answer 1

Let x = kayaker paddle speed.
Then going down the river his speed is 6+x and since distance = rate*time then distance = (6+x)*2 hrs or d = 12 + 2x.

On the return trip his speed is 6-x and the distance is (6-x)*3 hrs or d = 18-3x

The two distances are equal; therefore, set the two equations equal and solve for x. Check my thinking. Check my work.