Question

A boat travels upstream on the Allegheny River for 2hours. The return trip only takes 1.7 hours because the boat travels 2.5 miles per hour faster downstream due to the current. How far does the boat travel in one day?

Answer 1

= 28.332 miles

Explanation:

Distance= speed × time

The distance in this problem would be the same up or downstream

Let the speed be x upstream and ( x +2.5) downstream

2x = 1.7 (x+2.5)

0.3x = 1.7 (2.5)

X = 14.166

Now multiply by 2 to fund the distance one way

Distance = 14.166×to

= 28.332 miles

Answer 2

Explanation:

Thinking process:

The return trip will be given by the equation:

s = vt

where s = distance

v = average speed

t = time taken for the boat to reach destination

downward, therefore:

s = 325 miles

speed = distance/ time

= 325/ 2

= 162.5 miles/hr

The speed on the return trip = 162.5 (2.5)

406.25 miles/hr

Total distance = 325 + (406.25 * 1.7)

= 1 015 miles