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A boat goes 8 km upstream and 12 km downstream in 7 hours. It goes 9 km upstream and 18 km downstream in 9 hours. What is the speed (in km/h) of the boat in still water?
  • a)
    5
  • b)
    4
  • c)
    2
  • d)
    3
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
A boat goes 8 km upstream and 12 km downstream in 7 hours. It goes 9 k...
Let speed of boat be x km/hr and speed of stream be y km/hr
Speed of boat upstream = x - y
Speed of boat downstream = x + y
According to question,
{8/(x - y)} + {12/(x + y)} = 7
⇒ 8x + 8y + 12x - 12y = 7(x2 - y2)
⇒ 20x - 4y = 7(x2 - y2)     ----(1)
Also,
{9/(x - y)} + {18/(x + y)} = 9
⇒ x + y + 2x - 2y = (x2 - y2)
⇒ 3x - y = (x2 - y2)
⇒ 21x - 7y = 7(x2 - y2)      ----(2)
Subtracting equation (1) from (2) we get,
⇒ x - 3y = 0
⇒ x = 3y
Now, from equation (1) we get,
⇒ 60y - 4y = 7(9y2 - y2)
⇒ 56y = 56y2
⇒ y(y - 1) = 0
⇒ y = 1
Now,
⇒ x = 3y = 3 × 1 = 3 km/hr
∴ the speed of the boat in still water = 3 km/hr
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Most Upvoted Answer
A boat goes 8 km upstream and 12 km downstream in 7 hours. It goes 9 k...
Let's assume the speed of the boat in still water is 'x' km/h and the speed of the stream is 'y' km/h.

Upstream:
When the boat is moving upstream, its effective speed is reduced by the speed of the stream. So, the speed of the boat relative to the stream is (x - y) km/h.

Downstream:
When the boat is moving downstream, its effective speed is increased by the speed of the stream. So, the speed of the boat relative to the stream is (x + y) km/h.

From the given information, we can form two equations:

Equation 1:
8/(x - y) + 12/(x + y) = 7

Equation 2:
9/(x - y) + 18/(x + y) = 9

Now, let's solve these equations to find the values of x and y.

Solving Equation 1:
Multiplying both sides of the equation by (x - y)(x + y), we get:
8(x + y) + 12(x - y) = 7(x - y)(x + y)
8x + 8y + 12x - 12y = 7(x^2 - y^2)
20x - 4y = 7x^2 - 7y^2

Simplifying further:
7y^2 - 20x + 4y + 7x^2 = 0

Solving Equation 2:
Multiplying both sides of the equation by (x - y)(x + y), we get:
9(x + y) + 18(x - y) = 9(x - y)(x + y)
9x + 9y + 18x - 18y = 9(x^2 - y^2)
27x - 9y = 9x^2 - 9y^2

Simplifying further:
9y^2 - 27x + 9y + 9x^2 = 0

Now, we have two quadratic equations. Let's solve them simultaneously.

By equating the coefficients of x and y, we get:
20 = 7x
27 = 9x

Simplifying further, we find:
x = 3

Now, substituting the value of x into either equation, we can find the value of y:
27 = 9(3)
y = 0

Therefore, the speed of the boat in still water is 3 km/h (option D).
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A boat goes 8 km upstream and 12 km downstream in 7 hours. It goes 9 km upstream and 18 km downstream in 9 hours. What is the speed (in km/h) of the boat in still water?a)5b)4c)2d)3Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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