
Shortcut Trick
Identify common factors for the downstream distances (260 and 208): HCF(260, 208) is 52. Try divisors of 52 like 13.
If Downstream Speed (v) = 13 km/hr, then 260/13 = 20 hours.
Remaining time for upstream = 46 − 20 = 26 hours. So, Upstream Speed (u) = 130/26 = 5 km/hr.
Verify with second case: 90/5 + 208/13 = 18 + 16 = 34 hours. (Condition Satisfied)
Speed in still water = (v + u) ÷ 2 = (13 + 5) ÷ 2 = 9 km/hr.
∴ The correct answer is 9 km/hr.

Alternate Method
Given:
Case 1: Upstream distance = 130 km, Downstream distance = 260 km, Total time = 46 hr
Case 2: Upstream distance = 90 km, Downstream distance = 208 km, Total time = 34 hr
Formula Used:
Time = Distance ÷ Speed
Upstream Speed (u) = x − y | Downstream Speed (v) = x + y
Speed in still water (x) = (v + u) ÷ 2

Calculations:
Let 1/u = a and 1/v = b.
⇒ 130a + 260b = 46 → (Eq. 1)
⇒ 90a + 208b = 34 → (Eq. 2)
Divide Eq. 1 by 2: 65a + 130b = 23
Divide Eq. 2 by 2: 45a + 104b = 17
Multiplying Eq. 1 simplified by 4 and Eq. 2 simplified by 5 to equate 'b' coefficients:
⇒ 260a + 520b = 92
⇒ 225a + 520b = 85
Subtracting the equations:
⇒ 35a = 7
⇒ a = 7/35 = 1/5 ∴ u = 5 km/hr
Substitute a = 1/5 in 65a + 130b = 23:
⇒ 65(1/5) + 130b = 23
⇒ 13 + 130b = 23
⇒ 130b = 10 ⇒ b = 1/13 ∴ v = 13 km/hr
⇒ Speed in still water (x) = (13 + 5) ÷ 2
⇒ x = 18 ÷ 2 = 9 km/hr
∴ The correct answer is 9 km/hr.

Additional Information
Upstream and Downstream Velocities
Downstream speed (v) is the sum of the boat speed (x) and stream speed (y), whereas upstream speed (u) is the difference: v = x + y and u = x − y.
Speed of Still Water and Stream
The speed of the object in still water is x = (v + u) ÷ 2 and the speed of the stream is y = (v − u) ÷ 2.
Average Speed in Boats
If a boat travels a certain distance and returns to the starting point, the average speed is given by (u × v) ÷ x, where u is upstream and v is downstream speed.