Solve.
-Bill can row 3 mph in still water. It takes him 3 hours 36 minutes to go 3 miles upstream and return. Find the speed of the current.
A)1.5 mph
B)2.5 mph
C)2 mph
D)3 mph

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Let x be the speed of the current.
According to the problem:
3(x+3) = 3, which means that the distance he covers while rowing upstream is 1 mile (since he covers 3 miles in total).
3(x-3) = 3, which means that the distance he covers while rowing downstream is also 1 mile.
Using the formula Distance = Speed x Time, we get the following two equations:
1 = (3-x) t1, where t1 is the time taken to row upstream.
1 = (3+x) t2, where t2 is the time taken to row downstream.
Since it took Bill 3 hours 36 minutes (or 3.6 hours) in total, we know that:
t1 + t2 = 3.6
Solving the three equations simultaneously, we get x = 2 mph.
Therefore, the correct answer is C).

Solve. -Bill Can Row 3 Mph in Still Water. It Takes