Question

A motor boat whose speed in still water is 18 km/hr takes 1 hour more to go 24 km upstream than to return downstream to the same spot. Find the speed of the stream.

Answer 1

Let the speed of the stream be x km/hr.

Speed of the boat in still water = 18 km/hr.

Total Distance = 24 km.

We know that,

Speed of the boat upstream = Speed of the boat in still water − Speed of the stream

= (18 − x) km/hr

Speed of the boat downstream = speed of the boat in still water + speed of the stream

 = (18 + x) km/hr

Time of upstream journey = t₁ = \[\frac{24}{18 - x}\]

Time of downstream journey = t₂ = \[\frac{24}{18 + x}\]

According to the question,

 t₁ − t₂ = 1 hr

\[\Rightarrow \frac{24}{18 - x} - \frac{24}{18 + x} = 1\]

\[\Rightarrow \frac{24(18 + x - 18 + x)}{(18 - x)(18 + x)} = 1\]

\[\Rightarrow \frac{24(2x)}{(18 )^2 - x^2} = 1\]

\[\Rightarrow 48x = 324 - x^2 \]

\[\Rightarrow x^2 + 48x - 324 = 0\]

\[\Rightarrow x^2 + 54x - 6x - 324 = 0\]

\[\Rightarrow x(x + 54) - 6(x + 54) = 0\]

\[\Rightarrow (x - 6)(x + 54) = 0\]

\[\Rightarrow x - 6 = 0 \text { or } x + 54 = 0\]

\[\Rightarrow x = 6 \text { or } x = - 54\]

Since, speed cannot be negative.

Thus, speed of the stream is 6 km/hr.