A boat travels 40 km downstream in 5 hours, and the same

Solution

Let the speed of the boat in still water be x km/h, and the speed of the stream be y km/h. Downstream speed = (x + y) km/h, and upstream speed = (x - y) km/h. Downstream: 40 / (x + y) = 5 Upstream: 40 / (x - y) = 8 From the downstream equation: x + y = 40 / 5 = 8. From the upstream equation: x - y = 40 / 8 = 5. Now solve: x + y = 8 x - y = 5 Adding both equations: 2x = 13 x = 6.5 km/h Thus, the speed of the boat in still water is 6.5 km/h.