Shortcut Trick
Ratio of Boat speed (B) to Current speed (C) = 9 : 2.
Upstream speed (U) = 9 − 2 = 7 units; Downstream speed (D) = 9 + 2 = 11 units.
Difference = (5 × 11) − (2 × 7) = 55 − 14 = 41 units.
41 units = 123 km ⇒ 1 unit = 3 kmph.
Boat speed = 9 units = 9 × 3 = 27 kmph.
∴ The correct answer is 27 kmph.
Alternate Method
Given:
Ratio of Still Water Speed (u) and Current Speed (v) = 9x : 2x.
Formula Used:
Downstream Speed = u + v | Upstream Speed = u − v | Distance = Speed × Time.
Calculations:
⇒ Downstream Speed = 9x + 2x = 11x
⇒ Upstream Speed = 9x − 2x = 7x
⇒ Distance Downstream (5 hrs) = 11x × 5 = 55x
⇒ Distance Upstream (2 hrs) = 7x × 2 = 14x
⇒ Difference: 55x − 14x = 123
⇒ 41x = 123
⇒ x = 3
⇒ Speed of boat in still water = 9x = 9 × 3 = 27 kmph
∴ The correct answer is 27 kmph.
Additional Information
Relative Speed in Streams
Downstream speed (D) is the sum of boat speed (u) and stream speed (v). Upstream speed (U) is the difference (u − v).
Calculating Component Speeds
Boat speed in still water u = (D + U) ÷ 2 and Stream speed v = (D − U) ÷ 2.
Average Speed
Average speed for a round trip (upstream and downstream) = (D × U) ÷ u = (u2 − v2) ÷ u.