Question: A boat travels upstream from Q to P and downstream from P to Q in 3 h. If the distance between P to Q is 4 km and the speed of the current is 1 km/h, then what is the speed of the boat in still water?
Options:
A) 1.5 km/h
B) 5.2 km/h
C) 4.5 km/h
D) 3 km/h
Show Answer
Answer:
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
- Let speed of boat in still water $ =xkm/h $
Upstream $ =\frac{4}{x-1} $ and downstream $ =\frac{4}{x+1} $
So, $ \frac{4}{x-1}+\frac{4}{x+1}=3 $
$ \Rightarrow $ $ \frac{4,(x+1)+4,(x-1)}{x^{2}-1}=3 $
$ \Rightarrow $ $ \frac{4x+4+4x-4}{x^{2}-1}=3 $
$ \Rightarrow $ $ 8x=3x^{2}-3 $
$ \Rightarrow $ $ 3x^{2}-8x-3=0 $
$ \Rightarrow $ $ 3x^{2}-9x+x-3=0 $
$ \Rightarrow $ $ 3x(x-3)+1(3x+1)=0 $
$ \Rightarrow $ $ (x-3)(3x+1)=0 $
$ \therefore $ $ x=3km/h $