The speed of water current is 1.8 mph
Step-by-step explanation:
1.
The speed of steamer in still water IS 18 mph
Let the speed of current be x mph
When traveling downstream, the distance between the two ports is covered in 3 hours.The steamer is helped by the current , so the speed will be ;
18 +x mph
The distance travelled downstream will be 3(18+x) miles.
2.
Travelling upstream, the time used by the steamer is 3 hours and 40 minutes, which is equivalent to 3 2/3 hrs. Traveling upstream , the current will hinder the streamer , thus the speed will be (18-x) mph.
Distance travelled upstream will be 3 2/3 * (18-x) miles
Equate the two equations for distance to get value of x
3(18+x) = 3 2/3 (18-x)
3(18+x)= 11/3 (18-x)
9(18+x)=11(18-x)
162 +9x =198-11x
9x+11x =198-162
20x=36
x=36/20 = 1.8 mph
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Keywords : speed
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