The speed of the boat (b) in still water is 10 miles/hour and the rate of the current (c) is 8 miles/hour.
Step-by-step explanation:
Given,
In upstream it takes 2 hours to travel 16 km
In downstream it takes 3 hours to travel 36 km
To find the speed of the boat (b) in still water and the rate of the current (c)
Formula
Distance = Speed × Time
According to the problem,
b-c = ------ (1)
b+c = = 12 ------- (2)
Adding (1) and (2) we get,
b-c+b+c = 8+12
or, 2b = 20
or, b = 10
Subtracting (1) from (2) we get,
b+c-b+c = 12-8
or, 2c = 4
or, c = 2
Hence,
The speed of the boat (b) in still water is 10 miles/hour and the rate of the current (c) is 8 miles/hour.