Question: A boat can cover 'r' km upstream in 6 hours. It can cover 'r + 18' km downstream in 4 hours. Find the time taken by boat to cover 81 km upstream and 90 km downstream if the speed of boat in still water and speed of stream are in the ratio 4 : 1, respectively.
Solution:
Given that,
Boat covers r km upstream in 6 hours
Boat covers (r + 18) km downstream in 4 hours
Ratio of speed of boat in still water : speed of stream = 4 : 1
Let speed of boat in still water = 4k km/hr
Let speed of stream = 1k km/hr
∴ Upstream speed = 4k − 1k = 3k
∴ Downstream speed = 4k + 1k = 5k
Now,
r/6 = 3k
∴ r = 18k …… (1)
And, (r + 18)/4 = 5k
(18k + 18)/4 = 5k ; [From 1]
⇒ 18k + 18 = 20k
⇒ 20k - 18k = 18
⇒ 2k = 18
⇒ k = 18/2 = 9
∴ k = 9
Now, upstream speed = 3k = 27 km/hr
Downstream speed = 5k = 45 km/hr
Required Time,
Time for 81 km upstream = 81/27 = 3 hours
Time for 90 km downstream = 90/45 = 2 hours
∴ Total time = 3 + 2 = 5 hours
∴ The boat takes 5 hours to cover 81 km upstream and 90 km downstream.