Rowing with the current, a canoeist paddled 14 mi in 2 h. Against the current, the canoeist could paddle only 6 mi in the same amount of time. Find the rate of the canoest in calm water and the rate of the current.
A) Canoeist = 6 mph; current = 3 mph
B) Canoeist = 4 mph; current = 3 mph
C) Canoeist = 7 mph; current = 4 mph
D) Canoeist = 2 mph; current = 5 mph
E) Canoeist = 5 mph; current = 2 mph

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rate of the canoeist in calm water is the average of the speeds going with and against the current: (14/2 + 6/2) / 2 = 5 mph. The rate of the current is the difference between the canoeist's rate in calm water and the rate against the current: 5 - (6/2) = 2 mph.

Rowing with the Current, a Canoeist Paddled 14 Mi in 2