A river flows at a rate of 2 km divided by h. A patrol boat travels 54 km upriver and returns in a total time of 9 hr. What is the speed of the boat in still​ water?

Answer :

Answer:

12.32 km/h

Explanation:

[tex]V_r[/tex]=Velocity of river = 2 km/h

[tex]V_b[/tex]=Velocity of boat

[tex]V_b-V_r[/tex] = Speed of boat going against river

[tex]V_b+V_r[/tex] = Speed of boat going along river

Distance to travel = 54 km

Total time taken = 9 hours

So,

[tex]\frac{54}{V_b-V_r}+\frac{54}{V_b+V_r}=9\\\Rightarrow \frac{54(V_b+V_r+V_b-V_r)}{V_b^2-V_r^2}=9\\\Rightarrow \frac{54(2V_b)}{V_b^2-V_r^2}=9\\\Rightarrow \frac{54(2V_b)}{9}=V_b^2-V_r^2\\\Rightarrow 12V_b=V_b^2-V_r^2\\\Rightarrow V_b^2-V_r^2-12V_b=0\\\Rightarrow V_b^2-12V_b-4=0[/tex]

Solving this quadratic equation we get,

[tex]V_b=\frac{12\pm \sqrt{144+16}}{2}=12.32\ or -0.32[/tex]

So, velocity of boat in still water is 12.32 km/h

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