Chapter A.8, Problem 25AYU

To determine

To find: A motorboat can maintain a constant speed of 16 miles per hour relative to the water. The boat travels upstream to a certain point in 20 minutes; the return trip takes 15 minutes. What is the speed of the current?

Answer to Problem 25AYU

The speed of current is $2.29$.

Explanation of Solution

$20\left(16-x\right)=15\left(16+x\right)$

$320-20x=240+15x$

$80=35x$

$x=2.28571$

$x\approx 2.29$