Question

a canoeist can paddle 32km downstream in 2 hours. She can paddle 16 km upstream in 2 hours. Find the current speed as well as the speed of the canoeist in still water.

Answer 1

The current speed is 8 km/h and the speed of the canoeist in still water is 24 km/h.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the current speed and the speed of the canoeist in still water, we can use the concept of relative motion.

Let the speed of the canoeist in still water be 'v' and the speed of the current be 'c'.

When paddling downstream, the effective speed of the canoeist is the sum of their speed in still water and the speed of the current. So, we have the equation v + c = 32 km/h.

When paddling upstream, the effective speed of the canoeist is the difference between their speed in still water and the speed of the current. So, we have the equation v - c = 16 km/h.

Solving these equations simultaneously, we get the current speed 'c' = 8 km/h and the speed of the canoeist in still water 'v' = 24 km/h.