A boatman rows 1 km in 5 minutes along the stream (downstream), and 6 km in 1 hour against the stream (upstream). Find the speed of the stream (in km/h).

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 3 km/h

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question gives downstream and upstream travel rates to deduce the current speed. Converting times to hours is essential.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Downstream: 1 km in 5 min ⇒ 5 min = 5/60 h = 1/12 h.
  • Upstream: 6 km in 1 h.
  • Downstream speed vd and upstream speed vu are in km/h.


Concept / Approach:
Compute vd and vu, then use vd = b + c and vu = b − c to find current c = (vd − vu)/2.


Step-by-Step Solution:

vd = distance/time = 1 / (1/12) = 12 km/hvu = 6 / 1 = 6 km/hc = (vd − vu)/2 = (12 − 6)/2 = 3 km/h


Verification / Alternative check:
Then b = (vd + vu)/2 = (12 + 6)/2 = 9 km/h; check: b + c = 12 and b − c = 6, consistent with data.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
6, 10, 12 km/h do not satisfy both downstream and upstream relations simultaneously when combined with a single boat speed b.


Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting to convert 5 minutes to hours; misapplying average vs half-difference. Average gives boat speed, not current speed.


Final Answer:
3 km/h.

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