A man can swim in still water at 4.5 km/h, but takes twice as long to swim upstream than downstream. The speed of the stream is_________?
Correct answer: D. 1.5
- A. 3
- B. 7.5
- C. 2.25
- D. 1.5
Explanation
Let the current speed be c km/h. Since the upstream time is twice the downstream time for the same distance, the downstream speed is twice the upstream speed: 4.5 km/h + c = 2(4.5 km/h - c). Solving gives 3c = 4.5 km/h, so c = 1.5 km/h. The likely mistake is choosing 2.25, half the still-water speed, without using the time condition.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? [email protected]
About Time, Speed and Distance
Problems relate distance, speed and time through the formula distance = speed × time, including unit conversion, average speed, relative speed and motion in opposite or the same direction. Questions may involve trains, boats and streams, where the effective speed changes, so average speed must not be confused with the simple average of two speeds.
Practise Arithmetic
1,060 free Arithmetic MCQs from Mathematics, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Mathematics questions like this
Mathematics is on 76 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Time, Speed and Distance questions
A man can row with a speed of 15 kmph in still water. If the stream flows at 5 kmph, then the speed in downstream is________?
A man can row upstream at 25 kmph and downstream at 35 kmph, and then find the speed of the man in still water?
A boat can move upstream at 25 kmph and downstream at 35 kmph, then the speed of the current is_________?
A person can swim in still water at 4 km/h. If the speed of water 2 km/h, how many hours will the man take to swim back against the current for 6km?
If a man rows at the rate of 5 kmph in still water and his rate against the current is 3.5 kmph. then the man's rate along the current is__________?
A man takes twice as long to row a distance against the stream as to row the same distance in favour of the stream. The ratio of the speed of the boat (in still water) and the stream is________?