a man can swim down stream at 12kmph and upstream at 6kmph . The speed of man in still water and speed of the water current respectively

Question

A man can swim down stream at 12kmph and upstream at 6kmph . The speed of man in still water and speed of the water current respectively 

Answer 1

Hi Keerthi, let m represent the man and s the speed of the stream. Set up two equations and solve.

 

Equation 1, down stream:

 

m + s = 12

 

Equation 2, up stream:

 

m - s = 6

 

Solve by elimination:

 

m + s = 12

m -  s =   6

-------------

 

2m = 18

 

m = 9

 

The man's speed is 9 kilometers per hour.

 

Find stream current from equation 1:

 

9 + s = 12

 

s = 3

 

The stream's current is 3 kilometers per hour.

 

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