A kayaker travels x miles per hour downstream for 4 hours. On the 6-hour return trip, the kayaker travels 2 miles per hour slower. How far did the kayaker travel in total?

Question

A  kayaker travels x miles per hour downstream for 4 hours. On the 6-hour return trip, the kayaker travels 2 miles per hour slower. How far did the kayaker travel in total?

Reiny · Answer

speed downstream = x+2 speed upstream = x-2 4(x+2) = 6(x-2) solve for x, then sub into 4(x+2) to get your distance