16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardSpeed of a current from two journeys

Algebra practice question

A boat travels 28 kilometres downstream in 2 hours and returns the same 30 kilometres upstream in 3 hours. What is the speed of the current, in kilometres per hour?

Answer: 2

Downstream speed is 14 km/h and upstream speed is 10 km/h. With boat speed b and current c: b + c = 14 and b − c = 10, so c = 2.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 4
4 is the difference between the two speeds, which is twice the current.
If you answered 12
12 is the boat's speed in still water.
If you answered 14
14 is the downstream speed.

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