A river has a steady speed of 0.464 m/s. A student swims upstream a distance of 1.00 km and swims back to the starting point.
(a) If the student can swim at a speed of 1.08 m/s in still water, how long does the trip take?

(b) How much time is required in still water for the same length swim?

Question

A river has a steady speed of 0.464 m/s. A student swims upstream a distance of 1.00 km and swims back to the starting point. 
(a) If the student can swim at a speed of 1.08 m/s in still water, how long does the trip take?

(b) How much time is required in still water for the same length swim?

anonymous · Answer

The time taken to swim upstream is defined as$$t_u = {1000 \over 1.08-0.464}$$and downstream$$t_d = {1000 \over 1.08 + 0.464}$$

The time taken the swim the same course in still water is$$t = {2000 \over 1.08}$$ They should be the same.