Question

A steamer goes downstream and covers the distance between two ports in 4hrs while it covers the same distance upstream in 5hrs. If the speed of the stream is 2km/hr find the speed of the steamer in still water

Answer 1

both distance is equal so equate

Answer 2

Given:

Time taken for streamer to cover the distance while going downstream=4hours

Time taken for streamer to cover the distance while going upstream=5hours

To Find:

Speed of streamer in still water

Solution:

Let, the speed of the streamer in still water be x km/h.

Then, the speed of streamer downstream =(x+2)km/h

The speed of streamer upstream =(x-2)km/h

The distance covered in 4 hours while going downstream

The distance covered in 4 hours while going downstream

But, each of these distances is the distance between the two ports which is same.So,

⇒∴$4(x+2)=5(x-2)\\4x+8=5x-10\\x=18$

• ∴The speed of streamer in still water is 18km/h.