A man rows to a place 48 km away and returns in a total of 14 hours. He finds that he can row 4 km with the stream in the same time as 3 km against the stream. Find the rate of the stream (in km/h).

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 1 km/hr

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Equal-time statements over different distances give a ratio of downstream to upstream speeds. Combine that with round-trip time to deduce the current speed.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • One-way distance d = 48 km
  • Total time = 14 h
  • 4 km downstream takes the same time as 3 km upstream ⇒ vd / vu = 4 / 3
  • Let b be still-water speed and c the current


Concept / Approach:
From vd/vu = (b + c)/(b − c) = 4/3 ⇒ b = 7c. Then use time equation d/(b − c) + d/(b + c) = 14 to find c.


Step-by-Step Solution:

(b + c)/(b − c) = 4/3 ⇒ 3b + 3c = 4b − 4c ⇒ b = 7c14 = 48/(b − c) + 48/(b + c) = 48/(6c) + 48/(8c) = 8/c + 6/c = 14/c14 = 14/c ⇒ c = 1 km/h


Verification / Alternative check:
b = 7 km/h; times: upstream 48/6 = 8 h; downstream 48/8 = 6 h; total 14 h. Ratio check: vd/vu = 8/6 = 4/3, satisfied.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Other values for c break either the 14 h total or the 4:3 time equivalence ratio.


Common Pitfalls:
Treating 4:3 as a distance ratio; it is a speed ratio because times are equal. Always convert such statements into a speed ratio relation.


Final Answer:
1 km/hr.

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