Problema Solution
A kayaker paddles upstream from camp to photograph a waterfall and returns. The kayakers speed while traveling upstream is 4mi/h and downstream is 7mi/h. What is the kayakers speed in still water? What is the speed of the current?
Answer provided by our tutors
let
v = the kayakers speed in still water
c = the speed of the current
the kayakers speed while traveling upstream is 4mi/h
v - c = 4
the kayakers speed while traveling downstream is 7mi/h
v + c = 7
by solving the system of equations
v - c = 4
v + c = 7
we find
v = 5.5 mi/h
c = 1.5 mi/h
the speed of the kayaker is 5.5 mi/h.
the speed of the current is 1.5 mi/h.