SOLUTION: Rowan can row 26km downstream in 2 hours. Returning upstream it takes 4 hours to complete the trip. Find his rate in still water and the rate of the current.

Question 500240: Rowan can row 26km downstream in 2 hours. Returning upstream it takes 4 hours to complete the trip. Find his rate in still water and the rate of the current.
Answer by geetha_rama(94) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let b be the speed of the boat in still watetr and c be the rate of the current.
Using the formula, distance = speed * time
In dowmstream
26 = (speed of boat + speed of current) * t
26 = (b + c) * 2
=> b+c = 13 -> equation 1
In upstream,
26 = (speed of boat - spead of current) * t
26 = (b - c ) * 4
=> b -c = 6.5 -> equation 2
eqution 1 - equation 2
2b = 19.5
=> b = 9.75 km/hr
speaad of boat in still water = 9.75km/hr
c = 13 - b ( from eqiation 1)
c= 13 - 9.75
= 3.25 km/hr
=> Speed of current = 3.25km/hr
Check:
b+c = 13 (equation 1)
9.75 + 3.25 = 13
b-c = 6.5 (equation 2)
9.75 - 3.25 = 6.5

RELATED QUESTIONS
Gerald can row 52 kilometers in 4 hours. Returning upstream, it takes 8 hours to complete (answered by josgarithmetic,ikleyn)

a crew team can row 48 km downstream in 4 hours, but it takes 6 hours to row that same... (answered by josmiceli)

a man can row 20 km downstream in the time it takes him to row 8 km upstream. he rows... (answered by lwsshak3)

Amanda can row 32 miles downstream in 8 hours but it takes her 6 hours to row 12 miles... (answered by josgarithmetic)

a man who can row 4 miles per hour in still water finds that it requires 6 1/2 hours to... (answered by josgarithmetic)

Peter can row 11 miles downstream in the same time it takes him to row 7 miles upstream.... (answered by Boreal,Edwin McCravy)

In his motorboat, Bill travels upstream at top speed to his favorite fishing spot, a... (answered by mananth)

A man who can row 4 miles per hour in still water finds that it requires 6 1/2 hours to... (answered by josgarithmetic)

Mr. Turner has a motorboat that can travel 14 mph in still water. He wishes to take a... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)