Question

Going upstream, it takes 2 hours to travel 36 miles in a boat. Downstream, the same distance only takes 1.5 hours. What is the speed of the current and the speed of the boat in still water?

A) Current: 3 mph, Boat: 33 mph
B) Current: 4 mph, Boat: 34 mph
C) Current: 5 mph, Boat: 35 mph
D) Current: 6 mph, Boat: 36 mph

Answer 1

To find the speed of the boat in still water and the speed of the current, set up equations based on the given information and solve simultaneously. The correct answer is option D) Current: 6 mph, Boat: 36 mph.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the speed of the boat in still water and the speed of the current, we can use the formula:

Speed downstream = Speed of boat + Speed of current

Speed upstream = Speed of boat - Speed of current

Using the given information, we can set up the following equations:

1.5 = Boat speed + Current speed

2 = Boat speed - Current speed

Solving these equations simultaneously, we find:

Current speed = 0.5 mph

Boat speed = 36 mph

Therefore, the correct answer is option D) Current: 6 mph, Boat: 36 mph.