One one trip she traveled 2 miles upstream in 50 minutes with the return trip taking 22.9 minutes.

Question

Marta practiced kayaking on a local river. One trip for 2 miles upstream took her 50 minutes and the return took her 22.9 minutes. What was her speed in the still water and the speed of the river current?

Answer 1

Assume b is the boat speed at still water in miles/minute.

Assume river is flowing at a speed of s (miles/minute)

 

b-s = 2/50

b+s = 2/22.9

 

so, 2b = 2/50 + 2/22.9

b = 1/50 + 1/22.9 (miles/minute)

 

s = 2/22.9 - b = 2/22.9 - 1/50 - 1/22.9 = 1/22.9 - 1/50