General Aptitude -1

Boats and Streams

Answer
1. A boat takes 19 hours for travelling downstream from point A to point B and
coming back to a point C which is at midway between A and B. If the velocity
of the stream is 4 kmph and the speed of the boat in still water is 14 kmph,
what is the distance between A and B?
(a) 180 km (b) 160 km (c) 140 km (d) 120 km (a)
Explanation:
Speed in downstream = (14 + 4) km/hr = 18 km/hr;
Speed in upstream = (14 – 4) km/hr = 10 km/hr.
Let the distance between A and B be x km. Then,
x
x 2 x x
+ 10 = 19 ⇒ 18 + 20 = 19 ⇒ x = 180 km.
18
2. A boat sails 15 km of a river towards upstream in 5 hours. How long will it
take to cover the same distance downstream, if the speed of current is one-
fourth the speed of the boat in still water:
(a) 1.8h (b) 3h (c) 4h (d) 5h (b)
Explanation: Therefore B-S = 3= 3S
Upstream speed = B-S ⇒ S = 1 and B= 4 km/h
Downstream speed = B+s Therefore B+S = 5km/h
15
B-S = 5 = 3 km/h Therefore, Time during
Again B = 45 15
downstream = = 3h.
5
3. A man went downstream for 28 km in a motor boat and immediately returned.
It took the man twice as long to make the return trip. If the speed of the river
flow were twice as high, the trip downstream and back would take 672
minutes. Find the speed of the boat in still water and the speed of the river
flow.
(a) 12 km/hr, 3 (b) 9 km/hr, 3 (c) 8 km/hr, 2 (d) 9 km/hr, 6 (b)
km/hr km/hr km/hr km/hr
Explanation:
Let the speed of the boat = p kmph
Let the speed of the river flow = q kmph
28 28
From the given data, 2 × p+q = p−q
⇒ 56p − 56q − 28p − 28q = 0 ⇒ 28p = 84q ⇒ p = 3q
28 28 672 28 28 672
Now, given that if 3q+2q + 3q−2q = 60 ⇒ 5q + q = 60 ⇒ q = 3 kmph
x = 3q = 9 kmph
Hence, the speed of the boat = p kmph = 9 kmph and the speed of the river flow = q kmph =
3 kmph.
General Aptitude -2 NDPEJ

4. The current of a stream at 1 kmph. A motor boat goes 35 km upstream and

back to the starting point in 12 hours. The speed of the motor boat in still water
is ?
(a) 8 kmph (b) 6 kmph (c) 7.5 kmph (d) 5.5 kmph (b)
Explanation:
Speed of the stream = 1
Motor boat speed in still water be = x kmph
Down Stream = x + 1 kmph
Up Stream = x - 1 kmph
35 35
[ ]+[ ] = 12
x+1 x−1
X = 6 kmph
5. A man can row 6 kmph in still water. When the river is running at 1.2 kmph,
it takes him 1 hour to row to a place and back. What is the total distance
traveled by the man ?
(a) 4.58 kms (b) 6.35 kms (c) 5.76 kms (d) 5.24 kms (c)
Explanation: x x
+ = 1 ⇒ x = 2.88
Speed in still water = 6 kmph 7.2 4.8
Stream speed = 1.2 kmph Total Distance = 2.88 × 2 =
Down stream = 7.2 kmph 5.76 kms
Up Stream = 4.8 kmph
6. A boy can swim in still water at 4.5 km/h, but takes twice as long to swim
upstream than downstream. The speed of the stream is ?
(a) 1.8 kmph (b) 2 kmph (c) 2.2 kmph (d) 1.5 kmph (d)
Explanation: As the distance is same,
Speed of Boy is B = 4.5 kmph ⇒ 4.5 + x = (4.5 - x)2
Let the speed of the stream is S = x kmph ⇒ 4.5 + x = 9 -2x
Then speed in Down Stream = 4.5 + x 3x = 4.5
speed in Up Stream = 4.5 - x x = 1.5 kmph
7. A motor boat takes 12 hours to go downstream and it takes 24 hours to return
the same distance. what is the time taken by boat in still water?
(a) 18 h (b) 16 h (c) 8 h (d) 20 h (b)
Explanation:
If t1 and t2 are the upstream and down stream times. Then time taken in still water is given
2×t1×t2 2×12×24
by t1+t2 = 36 = 16h
NDPEJ General Aptitude -3

8. A boatman can row 3 km against the stream in 20 minutes and return in 18

minutes. Find the rate of current ?
1 2 1 1 (d)
(a) 3 kmph (b) 3 kmph (c) 4 kmph (d) 2 kmph
Explanation:
Distance 3×60
Speed in upstream = Time = 20 = 9 km/hr
60
Speed in downstream = 3 × 18 = 10 km/hr
10−9 1
Rate of current = 2 = 2 km/hr.
9. A boatman can row 96 km downstream in 8 hr. If the speed of the current is 4
km/hr, then find in what time he will be able to cover 8 km upstream ?
(a) 1.5 hrs (b) 1 hrs (c) 2.5 hrs (d) 2 hrs (d)
Explanation:
96
Speed in downstream = 8 = 12 kmph
Speed of current = 4 km/hr
Speed of the boatman in still water = 12 – 4 = 8 kmph
Speed in upstream = 8 – 4 = 4 kmph
8
Time taken to cover 8 km upstream = 4 = 2 hours.
10. A man rows his boat 60 km downstream and 30 km upstream taking 3 hrs each
time. Find the speed of the stream ?
(a) 5 kmph (b) 10 kmph (c) 15 kmph (d) 45 kmph (a)
Explanation:
a 60
Speed of the boat downstream s= = = 20 kmph
t 3
d 30
Speed of the boat upstream s= t = 3 = 10 kmph
Therefore, The speed of the stream =
speed of downstream − speed of upstream
= 5 kmph
2
11. A man can row 8 kmh in still water. If the river is running at 2 kmh, it takes 4
hrs more upstream than to go downstream for the same distance. Then the
distance is given by
(a) 54 kms (b) 32 kms (c) 45 kms (d) 60 kms (d)
Explanation:
Let the distance be d.
d d
− = 4 ⇒ 2d = 120 ⇒ d = 60 kms.
8−2 8+2
General Aptitude -4 NDPEJ

12. A boat running upstream takes 8 hours 48 minutes to cover a certain distance,
while it takes 4 hours to cover the same distance running downstream. What is
the ratio between the speed of the boat and speed of the water current
respectively?
(a) 7:4 (b) 11:4 (c) 4:7 (d) 8:3 (d)
Explanation:
Let the speed of the boat upstream be p kmph and that of downstream be q kmph
4
Time for upstream = 8 hrs 48 min = 8 5 hrs
Time for downstream = 4 hrs
4 44p 11p
Distance in both the cases is same. ⇒ p × 8 5 = 1 × 4 ⇒ 5 = 4q ⇒ q = 5
q+p q−p
Now, the required ratio of Speed of boat : Speed of water current = 2 ∶ 2
11p 11p
+p −p
= 5 : 5 =8∶3
2 2
13. A boat travels 72 km downstream in 8 hours and 84 km upstream in 12 hours.
Find the speed of the boat in still water and the speed of the water current ?
(a) 9 and 3 kmph (b) 6 and 7 kmph (c) 8 and 1 kmph (d) 7 and 2 kmph (c)
Explanation:
72
Downstream speed = 8 = 9 kmph
84
upstream speed = 12 = 7 kmph
speed of boat = avg of downstream and upstream speeds
9+7
speed of boat = kmph = 8 kmph.
2
current speed = half of the difference of downstream and upstream speeds
9−7
currend speed = kmph = 1 kmph
2
14. A boat whose speed in still water is 9 kmph, goes 12 km downstream and
comes back in 3 hrs. Find the speed of the stream?
(a) 1 kmph (b) 3 kmph (c) 5 kmph (d) 4 kmph (b)
Explanation:
Let the speed of the stream = x kmph
12 12
From the given data, 9+x + 9−x = 3hrs ⇒ 3x 2 = 27 ⇒ x = 3 kmph
Therefore, the speed of the stream = 3 kmph
NDPEJ General Aptitude -5

15. If sum of upstream and downstream speed of a boat is 82 kmph, and the boat
travels 105 km. upstream in 3 hr, Find the time taken by boat to cover 126 km
downstream.
(a) 2.8 hrs (b) 2.7 hrs (c) 2.6 hrs (d) 2.5 hrs (b)
Explanation: From the given data,
Let Speed of boat in still water = b 105
41 - w = 3 = 35
Let Speed of still water = w
w = 6 kmph
Then we know that,
Now,
Speed of Upstream = U = boat - water 126
Speed of Downstream = D = boat + water b+w= t
126
Given, U + D = 82 ⇒ 41 + 6 =
t
b - w + b + w = 82 126
2b = 82 ⇒ t = 47 = 2.68 hrs.
⇒ b = 41 kmph
16. A man can row against the current three fourth of a kilometer in 15 min and
returns same distance in 10 min, then ratio of his speed to that of current?
(a) 5:1 (b) 3:1 (c) 4:1 (d) 2:1 (a)
Explanation:
Let the speed of the man in still water = p kmph
Speed of the current = s kmph
Now, according to the questions
(p + s) × 10 = (p - s) × 15
2p + 2s = 3p - 3s
⇒p:s=5:1
Hence, ratio of his speed to that of current = 5:1.
17. A motorboat takes half time to cover a certain distance downstream than
upstream. What is the ratio between rate of current and rate of boat in still
water?
(a) 1:3 (b) 3:2 (c) 2:3 (d) 3:1 (a)
Explanation:
Let the speed of the boat in still water is 'w'
Speed of the current is 'c'
Let the distance between two places is 'd'
According to the question, motorboat takes half time to cover a certain distance downstream
than upstream.
d 1 d
= 2 × w−c ⇒ 2w − 2c = w + c ⇒ w = 3c
w+c

⇒ c: w = 1: 3
General Aptitude -6 NDPEJ

18. Rajesh rows in still water with a speed of 4.5 kmph to go to a certain place and
comes back. Find his average speed for the whole journey, if the river is
flowing with a speed of 1.5 kmph?
(a) 2 kmph (b) 4 kmph (c) 6 kmph (d) 8 kmph (b)
Explanation: Now, average speed =
Let the distance in one direction = k kms Total distance 2k
= k k
Speed in still water = 4.5 kmph Total speed +
3 6
Speed of river = 1.5 2k×18
= 6k+3k = 4kmph
Hence, speed in upstream = 4.5 - 1.5 = 3 kmph
Speed in downstream = 4.5 + 1.5 = 6 kmph
Time taken by Rajesh to row upwards = k/3 hrs
Time taken by Rajesh to row downwards = k/6 hrs
19. A boat takes 2 hours to travel from point A to B in still water. To find out its
speed upstream, which of the following information is/are required?
A. Distance between point A and B.
B. Time taken to travel downstream from B to A.
C. Speed of the stream of water.
(a) Only A and B (b) Only B and C (c) All are required (d) Any one pair (d)
of A and B, B and
C or C and A is
sufficient
Explanation:
Let distance between A & B = d km
Let speed in still water = x kmph
Let speed of current = y kmph
from the given data,
d
=2
x
From A) we get d
d
From B) we get x +y
From C) we get y
So, any one pair of A and B, B and C or C and A is sufficient to give the answer i.e, the speed
of upstream.
NDPEJ General Aptitude -7

20. If the boat goes 7 kms upstream in 42 min and speed of the stream is 3 kmph,
then the speed of the boat in still water ?
(a) 14 kmph (b) 13 kmph (c) 12 kmph (d) 11 kmph (b)
Explanation:
Given that, upstream distance = 7 kms
7
Upstream speed = 42 × 60 = 10 kms
Speed of the stream = 3 kmph
Let speed in still water = M kmph, then
Upstream speed = M - 3 = 10
⇒ M = 13 kmph.
21. A Woman’s downstream swimming rate is thrice of her upstream swimming
rate. If she covers 12 km upstream in 2.5 hours, what distance she will cover
in 5 hours downstream?
(a) 72 km (b) 36 km (c) 56 km (d) 42 km (a)
Explanation:
12
Rate of her upstream = 2.5= 4.8 km/hr
Then, ATQ
Rate of downstream = 4.8 × 3 = 14.4 km/hr
Hence, the distance she covers downstream in 5 hrs = 12.4 × 5 = 72 kms.
22. A boat can move 5 km/hr in still water. If the river is running at 1 km/hr, it
takes it 75 min to move to a place and back. How far is the place?
(a) 3 kms (b) 5 kms (c) 6 kms (d) 4 kms (a)
Explanation:
Let the place be at a distance of 'd' kms
From the given data,
d d 75 d d 5 5d 5
+ 5+1 = 60 kms ⇒ +6=4 ⇒ 12 = 4 ⇒ d = 3 kms.
5−1 4
Hence, the place is 3 kms far.
General Aptitude -8 NDPEJ

23. A steamer moves with a speed of 4.5 km/h in still water to a certain upstream
point and comes back to the starting point in a river which flows at 1.5 km/h.
The average speed of steamer for the total journey is
(a) 12 kmph (b) 10 kmph (c) 6 kmph (d) 4 kmph (d)
Explanation:
Speed of streamer = 4.5 km/hr, Speed of water = 1.5 km/hr
Downstream speed = 4.5+1.5 = 6 km/hr
Upstream speed = 4.5 -1.5 = 3 km/hr
6×3
Average Speed = = 4km/hr
4.5
24. The ratio of the speed of a boat downstream and speed of the stream is 9:1. If
the speed of the current is 3 km per hr, find the distance travelled by the boat
upstream in 5 hours.
(a) 100 km (b) 98 km (c) 109 km (d) 105 km (d)
Explanation:
Let the speed of boat in still water is ‘x’ km/hr & that of stream is ‘y’ km/hr.
x+y 9
Then, ATQ = 19y = x + y
y
X = 8y and y = 3 km/hr
So, x = 24 km/hr
Upstream speed = 24-3 = 21 km/hr
Hence, distance travelled upstream in 5 hours = 21×5 = 105 km.
25. Equal distance is covered by a boat in upstream and in downstream in total 5
hours. Sum of speed of a boat in upstream and downstream is 40 km/hr. Speed
of boat in still water is 600% more than the speed of stream. Find
theapproximate distance covered by boat in downstream (in km).
(a) 45 (b) 50 (c) 55 (d) 60 (b)
Explanation:
let speed of boat= X, speed of stream= Y
Upstream speed= X-Y
Downstream speed= X+Y
Sum of upstream & downstream= (X-Y) +(X+Y)= 2X
So, 2X= 40
X= 20 km/hr
Speed of boat : speed of stream= 600+100 :100= 7:1
So, speed of Stream= 20/7 km/hr
D D D D 5
ATQ, X−Y + X+Y = 5 ⇒ 120 + 160 =5 ⇒ D = 480 × 49 = 50 km
7 7
NDPEJ General Aptitude -9

26. On a river , Q is the mid - point between two points P and R on the same bank
of the river. A boat can go from P to Q and back in 12 hours, and from P to R
in 16 hours 40 minutes. How long would it take to go from R to P?
3 (b) 5 hr 2 1 (d)
(a) 3 7 hr (c) 63 hr (d) 73 hr
Explanation: Time Q to P
P---------- -Q----------R = 12H - 8H 20M
< - - - - - - - 16.40 - - - - - - - > = 3H 40M
∵Time required travelling from P to R ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 1 RP
∵ QP ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ (Distance)
2
= 16H 40M
∵PQ = QR (∵ Q is mid point) ∴Required time to ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ RP
Required time to travel PQ = 2×[QP ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ] = 2[3H 40M] = 7 H
1 1
= (16H 40M)=8H 20M 20M = 7 3 hr
2
total required time from
P to Q + Q to P = 12H
= 8H 20M + Q to P = 12H
27. If the speed of a boat in still water is 20km/hr and the speed of the current is
5km, then the time taken by the boat to travel 100 km with the current is?
(a) 2 hours (b) 3 hours (c) 4 hours (d) 7 hours (c)
Explanation:
Relative speed = 20 + 5 = 25 km/hr
100
Time = = 4 hours
25
28. A man takes 2.2 times as long to row a distance upstream as to row the same
distance downstream. If he can row 55 km downstream in 2 hour 30 minutes,
what is the speed of the boat in the still water?
(a) 40 km/h (b) 8 km/h (c) 16 km/h (d) 24 km/h (c)
Explanation:
Speed of the boat in downstream
55 55 × 10
= = = 22km/hr
2.5 25
Then, speed of the boat in upstream
22 22 × 10
= = = 10km/hr
2.2 22
22+10
∴Speed of the boat in still water = 2 = 16 km/hr

29. The speed of the boat in still water is 5 times that of current, it takes 1.1 hour
to row to point B from point A downstream. The distance between point A and
General Aptitude -10 NDPEJ

point B is 13.2 km. How much distance (in km) will it cover in 312 minutes
upstrem?
(a) 43.2 (b) 48 (c) 41.6 (d) 44.8 (c)
Explanation: 1
∴312 minutes = 5 5 hours
Let the speed of the current be x kmph 26
Then speed of the boat in still water = 5x = 5 hours
∴Downstream speed = (5x+x)=6x kmphUpstream speed = ∴Required distance travelled
(5x−x)=4xkmph upstream = Speed × Time
Now, 13.2km 26
=8× = 41.6 km
A¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯B 5
According to question
1.1 × 6x = 13.2 ⇒ 6.6x = 13.2 ⇒ x = 2 kmph
∴Upstream speed = 4x = 4 × 2 = 8 kmph
30. A boat can tarvel 36 km upstream in 5 hours. If the speed of the stream is 2.4
kmph, how much time will the boat take to cover a distance of 78 km
downstream?(in hours)
(a) 5 hours (b) 6.5 hours (c) 5.5 hours (d) 8 hours (b)
Explanation: ∴ Rate downstream of the boat
Distance covered by a boat in 5 hours = 36 km = (9.6 + 2.4) kmph
36
Rate upstream of boat = = 7.2 kmph = 12 kmph
5
Speed of the stream = 2.4 kmph ∴ Time taken in covering 78
78
∴ Speed of the boat in still water km distance =
12
= (7.2 + 2.4) kmph = 6.5 hours
= 9.6 kmph
31. A man can row upstream at 12km/hr and downstream at 18 km/hr. The man
rowing speed in still water is?
(a) 15 km/h (b) 5 km/h (c) 3 km/h (d) 10 km/h (a)
Explanation:
x+y
Speed of boat in still water = 2
Where (x = downstream speed) and (y = upstream speed)
18+12 30
∴ Boat's speed = = = 15 km/hr
2 2

32. A man rows 12 km in 5 hours against the stream and the speed of current being
4 kmph. What time will be taken by him to row 15 km with the stream?
7 7 7 7 (d)
(a) 1 hr 27 13 (b) 1 hr 24 13 min (c) 1 hr 25 13 min (d) 1 hr 26 13 min
min
NDPEJ General Aptitude -11

Explanation: Speed in downstream =

According to question, (x+y)=6.4+4=10.4km/h
Speed of current y= 4 km/h 15 150
Distance = 12 km ∴ Time = =
10.4 104
7
Speed in upstream = (x−y)km/hr. = 1 hr 26 13 min
distance
Here x is speed of boat in still water = time
12
x−4 = ⇒ 5x − 20 = 12 ⇒ 5x = 32 ∴ x = 6.4
5
33. The speed of a boat downstream is 15 km/hr and the speed of current is 3
km/hr. Find the total time taken by the boat to cover 15 km upstream and 15
km downstream.
(a) 2 hours 40 (b) 2 hours 42 (c) 2 hours 10 (d) 2 hours 30 (a)
minutes minutes minutes minutes
Explanation: Time taken at downstream
Given, 15 15
=12+3 = 15 hr
Speed of boat in downstream = 15 km/hr
=1 hour
Speed of current = 3 km/hr
∴ Total time = 2 hours 40
Speed of boat in still water = 12 km/h
15 15 minutes
Time taken at upstream = 12−3 = 9 = 1 hour 40 min.
34. A man can row upstream at 12km/hr and downstream at 18 km/hr. The man
rowing speed in still water is?
(a) 15 km/h (b) 5 km/h (c) 3 km/h (d) 10 km/h (a)
Explanation:
x+y
Speed of boat in still water = 2
Where (x = downstream speed) and (y = upstream speed)
18+12 30
∴ Boat's speed = = = 15 km/hr
2 2

35. A man row to a place 48 km distant and back on 14 hours text. He finds that
he can row 4 km with the stream in the same time as 3 km against the stream.
The rate of the stream is?
(a) 1 km/hr (b) 1.5 km/hr (c) 1.8 km/hr (d) 4.5 km/hr (a)
Explanation: So,Speed downstream
Suppose he moves 4 km downstream in x hours. = 8 km/hr
4
Then, Speed downstream = x km/hr Speed uptream = 6 km/hr
3 Rate of the stream
Speed upstream = x km/hr
General Aptitude -12 NDPEJ

48 48 1 1
∴ + = 14 ⇒ x = = 2 (8 − 6) km
3 4 2
x x = 1 km/hr
36. Speed of a along and against the current are 14 kms/hr and 8 kms/hr
respectively. The speed of the current is?
(a) 11 km/hr (b) 6 km/hr (c) 5.5 km/hr (d) 3 km/hr (d)
Explanation:
S + W = 14 . . . . . . (i)
S - W = 8 . . . . . . . .(ii)
from equation (i) & (ii)
S = 11 km/hr, W = 3 km/hr
Speed of current = 3 km/hr
37. P, Q and R are three towns on a river which flows uniformly. Q is equidistant
from P and R. I row from P to Q and back in 10 hours and I can row from P to
R in 4 hours. Compare the speed of my boat in still water with that of the river.
(a) 4:3 (b) 5:3 (c) 6:5 (d) 7:3 (b)
Explanation:
Let PQ = QR = x km; let speed downstream = a km/hr
and speed upstream = b km/hr
x x 10ab 2x
then, a + b = 10 ⇒x= and =4 ⇒ x = 2a
a+b a
From above equations, we have
10ab
2a = ⇒ 5b = a + b ⇒ a = 4b
a+b
1
(a+b) a+b 4b+b 5
2
Required ratio = 1 = a−b = 4b−b = 3
(a−b)
2