Respuesta :
Answer:
The current of the water is 1.714 mph.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the boat in t hours can travel 18 miles upstream, and 24 miles downstream.
Therefore, if the speed of the boat in still water is 12 mph and that of water is x mph , then we can write
[tex]\frac{18}{t} = 12 - x[/tex] ........ (1) and
[tex]\frac{24}{t} = 12 + x[/tex] ............ (2)
Now, adding those two equations (1) and (2) we get,
[tex]\frac{18}{t} + \frac{24}{t} = 24[/tex]
⇒ t = 1.75 hours.
Now, from equation (1) we get
[tex]\frac{18}{1.75} = 12 - x[/tex]
⇒ x = 1.714 mph
Therefore, the current of the water is 1.714 mph. (Answer)