Two boats begin their journeys back and forth across a river at the same time, but from opposite sides of the river. The first time that they pass each other, they are 700 feet from one of the shores. After they each make one turn, they pass each other once again at a distance of 400 feet from the other shore. How wide is the river? Assume each boat travels at constant speed and that there is no loss of time in making a turn.

Question

anonymous · Answer

are both boats traveling at the same speed?

anonymous · Answer

the question states at constant speed, so i guess so?

anonymous · Answer

no it cant be that they are traveling at the same speed, otherwise they would meet in the middle of the river every time.