Problema Solution

A boat takes 4hrs to go 12 miles upstream. It can go 32 miles downstream in the same time. find the rate of the boat upstream and the rate of the boat in still water?

Answer provided by our tutors

Let

v = the rate of the boat in still water

c = the rate of the current

We will use the formula average rate = distance/time:

v - c = 12/4

v + c = 32/4

........

click here to see the system of equations solved for v and c

........

v = 5.5 mph

c = 2.5 mph

The rate of the boat upstream is 5.5 - 2.5 = 3 mph.

The rate of the boat in still water is 5.5 mph.