A sailor goes 8 km downstream in 40 minutes and returns in 1 hours. Determine the speed of the sailor in still water and the speed of the current.
Let the speed of the sailor in still water be x km/hr and the speed of the current be y km/hr
Speed upstream $=(x-y) \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{hr}$
Speed downstream $=(x+y) \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{hr}$
Now, Time taken to cover $8 \mathrm{~km}$ down stream $=\frac{8}{x+y} h r s$
Time taken to cover $8 \mathrm{~km}$ upstream $=\frac{8}{x-y} h r s$
But, time taken to cover $8 \mathrm{~km}$ downstream in 40 minutes or $\frac{40}{60}$ hours that is $\frac{2}{3}$ hours
$\frac{8}{x+y}=\frac{2}{3}$
$8 \times 3=2(x+y)$
$24=2 x+2 y$
Dividing both sides by common factor 2 we get
$12=x+y \cdots(i)$
Time taken to cover 8km upstream in1hour
$\frac{8}{x-y}=1$
$8=1(x-y)$
$8=x-y \quad$...(ii)
By solving these equation $(i)$ and $(i i)$ we get
Substitute $x=10$ in equation $(i)$ we get
$x+y=12$
$10+y=12$
$y=12-10$
$y=2$
Hence, the speed of sailor is $10 \mathrm{~km} / \mathrm{hr}$
The speed of current is $2 \mathrm{~km} / \mathrm{hr}$