Multiple choice

A boat travelled 336 miles upstream and downstream. If the boat takes 14 hours to travel upstream and 12 hours to travel downstream, find the speed of boat in still water and speed of the current.

  1. Boat = 28 mph; Current = 4mph

  2. Boat = 26 mph; Current = 2 mph

  3. Boat = 26 mph; Current = 4 mph

  4. Boat = 28 mph; Current = 2 mph
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Upstream speed = 336 / 14 = 24 mph. Downstream speed = 336 / 12 = 28 mph. Boat speed = (28 + 24) / 2 = 26 mph. Current speed = (28 - 24) / 2 = 2 mph.

AI explanation

The upstream speed is 336 miles / 14 hr = 24 mph and the downstream speed is 336 miles / 12 hr = 28 mph. The speed of the boat in still water is the average of the two speeds, which is (24 + 28) / 2 = 26 mph. The speed of the current is half their difference, which is (28 - 24) / 2 = 2 mph. The result is a boat speed of 26 mph and a current speed of 2 mph.

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