Question

A boat traveled 336 miles downstream and back. The trip downstream took 12 hours. The trip upstream took 14 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water? What is the speed of the current

Answer 1

x - boat speed; y - current speed; Path = 336:2 = 168 miles

1) 12 * (x + y) = 168; -> x + y = 14;

2)  14 * (x - y) = 168; -> x - y = 12;

1) x = 14 - y;

2) (14 - y) - y = 12;

14 - 2y = 12;

2y = 2;

y = 1 mph

x = 14 - 1 = 13 mph

Answer:

Boat speed = 13 mph

Current speed = 1 mph