Problema Solution
Abby rows 10 km up stream and 10 km back in a total of 3hr.The speed of the river is 5km/h. Find Abby's speed in still water.
Answer provided by our tutors
let
v = Abby's speed in still water, v>0
d = 10 km the distance Abby is crossing in each direction
t = 3 hr the total time
c = 5 km/h the speed of the river
going downstream Abby's speed is: v + c = v + 5
going upstream Abby's speed is: v - c = v - 5
since speed = distance/time follows time = distance/speed
d/(v + c) + d/(v - c) = t
10/(v + 5) + 10/(v - 5) = 3
by solving the above system of equations we find:
v = 9.34 km/h
click here to see the step by step solution of quadratic equation:
Abby's speed in still water is 9.34 km/h approximately.