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Ursula’s starting location ( ) is on the shore of a river that measures 8 km across. Her destination ( ) is 27 km downshore on the opposite side of the river. Ursula rows a boat in a straight line, at a speed of 5 km/h, to a point that is 6 km downshore on the opposite side, and then runs the remaining distance, at a speed of 14 km/h. How many hours will it take Ursula to reach her destination? Express your answer as a mixed number

User JasperZelf
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Final answer:

Ursula will take a total of 3.5 hours, or 3 1/2 hours, to reach her destination by rowing across a river for 2 hours and then running the remaining 21 km for 1.5 hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks for the total time Ursula takes to reach her destination by rowing across a river and then running along the shore.

Firstly, we must determine the distance Ursula rows diagonally across the river to reach a point that is 6 km downshore. To do this, we can use the Pythagorean theorem. If we let x represent the distance rowed, then:

x2 = 82 + 62

x2 = 64 + 36

x2 = 100

x = 10 km

Next, we will calculate the time it takes to row this distance.

Time to row = distance/speed

Time to row = 10 km / 5 km/h

Time to row = 2 hours

After reaching the opposite shore, Ursula runs the remaining 21 km (27 km - 6 km).

Time to run = distance/speed

Time to run = 21 km / 14 km/h

Time to run = 1.5 hours

Finally, we combine the times:

Total time = Time to row + Time to run

Total time = 2 hours + 1.5 hours

Total time = 3.5 hours

Ursula will reach her destination in 3.5 hours, which can be expressed as 3 hours and 30 minutes, or as a mixed number, 3 1/2 hours.

User Nardo
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