A motorboat travels 9 miles downstream (with the current) in 30 minutes. The return trip upstream (against the current) takes 90 minutes.

Which system of equations can be used to find [tex][tex]$x$[/tex][/tex], the speed of the boat in miles per hour, and [tex][tex]$y$[/tex][/tex], the speed of the current in miles per hour? Recall the formula [tex][tex]$d=rt$[/tex][/tex].

[tex]\[
\begin{array}{l}
9 = 0.5(x - y) \\
9 = 1.5(x + y)
\end{array}
\][/tex]

A. [tex][tex]$9 = 1.5(x - y)$[/tex][/tex] and [tex][tex]$9 = 0.5(x + y)$[/tex][/tex]
B. [tex][tex]$0.5 = 9(x - y)$[/tex][/tex] and [tex][tex]$1.5 = 9(x + y)$[/tex][/tex]
C. [tex][tex]$1.5 = 9(x - y)$[/tex][/tex] and [tex][tex]$0.5 = 9(x + y)$[/tex][/tex]



Answer :

To determine the correct system of equations for this problem, let's analyze the given information step by step.

1. Understanding the Problem:
- A motorboat travels 9 miles downstream in 30 minutes.
- It takes 90 minutes to travel the same distance upstream.

2. Define Variables:
- Let [tex]\( x \)[/tex] be the speed of the boat in still water (in miles per hour).
- Let [tex]\( y \)[/tex] be the speed of the current (in miles per hour).

3. Convert Time to Hours:
- Downstream travel time: 30 minutes [tex]\( = \frac{30}{60} \)[/tex] hours [tex]\( = 0.5 \)[/tex] hours.
- Upstream travel time: 90 minutes [tex]\( = \frac{90}{60} \)[/tex] hours [tex]\( = 1.5 \)[/tex] hours.

4. Recall the Distance Formula:
- Distance = Rate × Time ( [tex]\( d = r \cdot t \)[/tex] ).

5. Formulate Equations:
- Downstream: When the boat is traveling downstream, the speed of the boat and the speed of the current add up. Thus, the effective speed is [tex]\( (x + y) \)[/tex]. Using the distance formula:
[tex]\[ 9 = (x + y) \cdot 0.5 \][/tex]
- Upstream: When the boat is traveling upstream, the boat’s speed is reduced by the current's speed. Thus, the effective speed is [tex]\( (x - y) \)[/tex]. Using the distance formula:
[tex]\[ 9 = (x - y) \cdot 1.5 \][/tex]

6. Simplify the Equations:
- For the downstream equation:
[tex]\[ 9 = 0.5(x + y) \][/tex]
- For the upstream equation:
[tex]\[ 9 = 1.5(x - y) \][/tex]

Thus, the correct system of equations to find the speed of the boat [tex]\( x \)[/tex] and the speed of the current [tex]\( y \)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[ 9 = 0.5(x + y) \quad \text{and} \quad 9 = 1.5(x - y) \][/tex]
Therefore, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ 9 = 0.5(x + y) \quad \text{and} \quad 9 = 1.5(x - y) \][/tex]

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