Problema Solution

A paddle boat can move at a speed of 18 km/h in still water. The boat is paddled 8 km downstream in a river in the same time it takes to go 4 km upstream. what is the speed of the river?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


x = the speed of the river


v = 18 km/h the speed of the paddle boat in still water


the speed upstream: v - x = 18 - x


the speed downstream: v + x = 18 + x


speed = distance/time => time = distance / speed


the boat is paddled 8 km downstream in a river in the same time it takes to go 4 km upstream


the time going 8 km downstream = the time going 4 km upstream


8/(v + x) = 4/(v - x)


8/(18 + x) = 4/(18 - x)


by solving we find:


x = 6 km/h


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the speed of the river is 6 km/h.