Angelo Buninin operates a gondola in Venice, Italy. When angelo rows his gandola in the grand canal, he can travel 2.8 miles when rowing with current in the same amount of time as he can travel 2 miles when rowing against the current. Find the speed of the current.
rate of gandola in still water --- x mph
speed of current ---- y mph
time to go 2.8 miles with the current = 2.8/(x+y)
time to go 2 miles against the current = 2/(x-y)
they are the same!
2.8/(x+y) = 2/(x-y)
2.8x - 2.8y = 2x+2y
.8x = 4.8y
8x = 48y
x = 6y or y = (1/6)x
All we can say is that the current is 1/6 of the speed of the gandola
suppose the current is 1 mph
then his gondola's speed is 6 mph
time to go 2.8 miles = 2.8/7 = .4 hrs
time to go 2 miles against current = 2/5 = .4 hrs
suppose the current is .25 mph
then his gondola's speed is 1.5 mph
time to go 2.8 miles = 2.8/1.75 = 1.6 hrs
time to go 2 miles against current = 2/1.25 = 1.6 hrs