Question 998846
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On an upstream trip, a canoe travels 40 km in 5 hours. Downstream, it travels the same distance in half the time. 
What is the rate of the canoe in still water and the rate of the current?
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On an upstream trip,  the canoe speed relative to the river banks is  {{{40_km/5_hours}}} = 8 {{{km/h}}}. 


This speed is the difference of the speed of canoe relative water,  u,  and the speed of current,  v:


8 = u - v.         (1)


Downstream,  the canoe speed relative to the river banks is twice more:  {{{40/2.5}}} = 16 {{{km/h}}}.


This speed is the sum of the speed of canoe relative water,  u,  and the speed of current,  v:


16 = u + v.         (2)


Add  (1)  and  (2).  You will get 


2u = 8 + 16 = 24,  hence,  u = {{{24/2}}} = 12 {{{km/h}}}.

Then  v = 4 {{{km/h}}}.


<U>Answer</U>. &nbsp;The canoe speed in a still water is &nbsp;12 {{{km/h}}}. 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The current speed is &nbsp;4 {{{km/h}}}.