Question Details

A motorboat whose speed is 20 km/h in still water takes 30 minutes more to go 24 km upstream than to cover the same distance downstream. If the speed of the boat in still water is increased by 2 km/h, then how much time will it take to go 39 km downstream and 30 km upstream?

Options

A

2 h 40 minutes

B

3 h 10 minutes

C

3 h 40 minutes

D

2 h 50 minutes

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option B

3 h 10 minutes

3 h 10 minutes

Solution :

To find the total time taken for the downstream and upstream journeys under the new conditions, we can break the problem down into step-by-step calculations.

Step 1: Find the speed of the stream
Let the speed of the stream be represented by s km/h.
Given that the speed of the boat in still water is 20 km/h:
The speed of the boat upstream (against the stream) is (20-s) km/h.
The speed of the boat downstream (with the stream) is (20+s) km/h.

The distance covered in both directions is 24 km, and the difference in time is 30 minutes, which is equal to 12 hour.
Using the formula Time=DistanceSpeed, we can write the equation as:

2420-s-2420+s=12

Now, let us solve for s:
Take 24 common on the left-hand side:

24[(20+s)-(20-s)(20-s)(20+s)]=12

Simplify the expression inside the brackets:

24[2s400-s2]=12

48s400-s2=12

Cross-multiplying gives:

96s=400-s2

Rearranging this into a standard quadratic equation:

s2+96s-400=0

Factoring the quadratic equation:

(s+100)(s-4)=0

Since the speed of the stream cannot be negative, we choose the positive value:
s=4 km/h.

Step 2: Calculate the new speeds
The speed of the boat in still water is increased by 2 km/h:
New speed in still water = 20+2=22 km/h.
Speed of the stream = 4 km/h.
New downstream speed = 22+4=26 km/h.
New upstream speed = 22-4=18 km/h.

Step 3: Calculate the total time required
Time taken to cover 39 km downstream:

Tdown=3926=1.5 hours

Time taken to cover 30 km upstream:

Tup=3018=53 hours=1 hour 40 minutes

Total time required for both journeys is:
Total Time=1 hour 30 minutes+1 hour 40 minutes=3 hours 10 minutes.

Therefore, the correct option is 3 h 10 minutes.

Unlock Our Free Library

Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.

Discover more resources

You may also like

Mock Tests

View All
  • CTET
  • intermediate
  • No time limit
  • child development and pedagogy, mathematics, social science

  • SSC
  • intermediate
  • 2 hours and 30 mins
  • child development and pedagogy, mathematics, social science

Ask AI Tutor
5 left
Q1 View Question & Options
AI Tutor is solving this question...
Reading question context & options...