A boat covers a certain distance downstream in 4 hours but takes 6 hours to return upstream to the starting point. If the speed of the stream be 3 km/hr, find the speed of the boat in still water
Let the speed of the water in still water = $x$
Given that speed of the stream = 3 kmph
Speed downstream $=\left(x+3\right)$ kmph
Speed upstream $=\left(x-3\right)$ kmph
He travels a certain distance downstream in 4 hour and come back in 6 hour.
ie, distance travelled downstream in 4 hour = distance travelled upstream in 6 hour
since distance = speed × time, we have
$\left(x + 3\right)4 = \left(x - 3\right)6$=>$\left(x + 3\right)2 = \left(x - 3\right)3$
=>$2x + 6 = 3x - 9$
=>$x = 6+9 = 15\text{ kmph}$