The steamer covers the distance between points A and B and back without stopping in three whole

The steamer covers the distance between points A and B and back without stopping in three whole, three-eighths of an hour. The steamer’s speed in still water is 18 km / h, and the speed of the river is 2 km / h. Find the distance from A to B.

1. We calculate the speed of a river vessel when moving in the direction of the water flow:

18 + 2 = 20 km / h.

2. We calculate its speed when moving in the direction opposite to the water flow:

18 – 2 = 16 km / h.

3.3 3/8 hours = 27/8 hours.

4. We take as x (kilometers) the distance between points A and B.

5. Considering that the total travel time of a river vessel is 27/8 hours, we will draw up the equation:

x / 20 + x / 16 = 27/8;

(16x + 20x) 320 = 27/8;

36x = 320 x 27/8;

x = 30 kilometers.

Answer: the distance between points A and B is 30 kilometers.