Asteamer going downstream traveled the distance between two ports in 3 hours. the return trip took 3 hours 40 minutes. find the speed of the water current if the speed of the steamer in still water is 18 mph.

The speed of water current is 1.8 mph

Step-by-step explanation:

Given information;

The speed in traveling downstream

The speed in travelling upstream

The distance traveled upstream taken.

So, the distance will be

As the distance is same in both the travel .

Then, we can write:

On solving the above equation:

Hence, the speed of water current is 1.8 mph

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1.8 mph

Step-by-step explanation:

Speed of the steamer in still water is 18 mph.

Speed of the current = x mph.

1. The steamer going downstream traveled the distance between two ports in 3 hours. Traveling downstream the current "helps" the steamer, then the speed is 18 + x mph.

The distance traveled downstream = 3(18 + x) miles.

2. The steamer going upstream traveled the distance between two ports in 3 hours 40 minutes that is hours. Traveling upstream the current "interferes" the steamer, then the speed is 18 - x mph.

The distance traveled upstream miles.

3. The distances are the same, so

Solve this equation: