Question

Chan rows at a rate of 8 mph in still water. It takes him three hours to row upstream from his house to the park. He rows back home, and it takes him 2 hours. What is the speed of the current?

Answer 1

d = r * t

time rate distance

Downstream: 2 8 + c d = 2(8 + c)

Upstream: 3 8 - c d = 3(8 - c)

Since the distance is the same, we can set the distance equations equal to each other and solve for c.

2(8 + c) = 3(8 - c)

16 + 2c = 24 - 3c

16 + 5c = 24

5c = 8

c =
`(8)/(5)`

c = 1.6

Answer: 1.6 mph