You row a canoe x miles per hour down a river for 20 minutes. On the return trip, you travel 1 mile per hour slower. The return trip takes30 minutes. How far did you ride the canoe in total?

Answer:Total Distance = 2 milesStep-by-step explanation:We know D = RT whereD is distanceR is rate (speed)T is timeFirst Leg:Rate = x mphTime = 20/60 = 1/3 hourHence, D = RT, Distance = x * 1/3 = x/3 milesSecond Leg:Rate = x - 1Time = 30/60 = 1/2 hourDistance = (x - 1) * 1/2 = (x-1)/2Total distance is the sum of both the legs, hence,Total distance = [tex]\frac{x}{3}+\frac{x-1}{2}=\frac{2x+3(x-1)}{6}=\frac{2x+3x-3}{6}=\frac{5x-3}{6}[/tex] milesSince both the distance are equal we can equate and solve:[tex]\frac{x}{3}=\frac{x-1}{2}\\2x=3x-3\\x=3[/tex]Plugging this x = 3 into the total distance expression, we get:[tex]\frac{5x-3}{6}\\\frac{5(3)-3}{6}\\=2[/tex]Total distance, 2 miles