Answer:
3.9 mi/h
Step-by-step explanation:
We assume that the given speeds are the speeds of the boats relative to the water. If c is the speed of the current, we have ...
time = distance/speed
47/(15 +c) = 40/(20 -c)
47(20 -c) = 40(15 +c) . . . . . . multiply by (20-c)(15+c)
940 -600 = 40c +47c . . . . . add 47c-600
340 = 87c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . simplify; next divide by 87
c = 340/87 ≈ 3.9080 . . . . mi/h
The speed of the current is about 3.9 mi/h.