A boat running upstream takes 8 hours 48 minutes to cover a certain distance, while it takes 4 hours to cover the same distance running downstream. What is the ratio between the speed of the boat and speed of the water current respectively?

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Question:
A boat running upstream takes 8 hours 48 minutes to cover a certain distance, while it takes 4 hours to cover the same distance running downstream. What is the ratio between the speed of the boat and speed of the water current respectively?

[A].

2 : 1

[B].

3 : 2

[C].

8 : 3

[D].

Cannot be determined

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Let the man’s rate upstream be x kmph and that downstream be y kmph.

Then, distance covered upstream in 8 hrs 48 min = Distance covered downstream in 4 hrs.

x x 8 4 = (y x 4)
5
44 x =4y
5
y = 11 x.
5
Required ratio = y + x : y – x
2 2
   = 16x x 1 : 6x x 1
5 2 5 2
   = 8 : 3
5 5

   = 8 : 3.