Answer:
To solve this problem, we will use the following steps:
Step 1: Nick and Chloe paddled downstream at an average speed of 12 km/h and back upstream at an average rate of 8 km/h. So, we can find the total distance they travelled by finding the distance they travelled downstream plus the distance they travelled upstream.
Step 2: We know that the total trip took 7 hours and they took a 45-minute lunch break. To convert 45 minutes to hours, we can divide 45 by 60, so 45/60 = 0.75 hours.
Step 3: We can then subtract the time they took for lunch break from the total trip time, so 7 - 0.75 = 6.25 hours
Step 4: To find the distance travelled downstream, we can multiply the time spent traveling downstream by the speed of the canoe, so 6.25 x 12 = 75 km
Step 5: To find the distance travelled upstream, we can multiply the time spent traveling upstream by the speed of the canoe, so 6.25 x 8 = 50 km
Step 6: We can then add the distance travelled downstream and the distance travelled upstream to find the total distance travelled, so 75 + 50 = 125 km
Final Answer: Nick and Chloe travelled a total distance of 125 km.