71 Views

Question : A man rows from J to K (upstream) and back from K to J (downstream) in a total time of 15 hours. The distance between J and K is 300 km. The time taken by the man to row 9 km downstream is identical to the time taken by him to row 3 km upstream. What is the approximate speed of the boat in still water?

Option 1: 51.33 km/hr

Option 2: 47.67 km/hr

Option 3: 53.33 km/hr

Option 4: 43.67 km/hr


Team Careers360 17th Jan, 2024
Answer (1)
Team Careers360 25th Jan, 2024

Correct Answer: 53.33 km/hr


Solution : Let the speed of the boat as B and the speed of the stream as S.
Upstream Speed = B – S
Downstream Speed = B + S
⇒ A man rows from J to K (upstream) and back from K to J(downstream) in a total time of 15 hours. The distance between J and K is 300 km.
According to the question,
$\frac{300}{B + S}$ + $\frac{300}{B – S}$ = 15
⇒ $\frac{20}{B + S}$ + $\frac{20}{B – S}$ = 1
Since the time taken by him to row 3 km upstream is equal to the time taken by him to row 9 km downstream.
So, $\frac{9}{B + S}$ =  $\frac{3}{B – S}$ 
⇒ $\frac{B + S}{B - S}$ = $\frac{3}{1}$ 
From this, we can take the speed of the boat as B = 2$x$ km/hr, and the speed of the stream as S = $x$ km/hr
So, $\frac{20}{ 2x + x} + \frac{20}{2x – x}=1$ 
⇒ $\frac{20}{ 3x } + \frac{20}{x}=1$ 
⇒ $x = \frac{80}{3}$ 
So, the speed of boat in still water, B = 2$x$ km/hr = 2 × $\frac{80}{3}$ = 53.33 km/hr
Hence, the correct answer is 53.33 km/hr.

Know More About

Related Questions

Amity Online MBA
Apply
Apply for an Online MBA from Amity Online.
Manipal Online M.Com Admissions
Apply
Apply for Online M.Com from Manipal University
View All Application Forms

Download the Careers360 App on your Android phone

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

150M+ Students
30,000+ Colleges
500+ Exams
1500+ E-books