A steamer going downstream traveled the distance between two ports in 3 hours. The return trip took 3 hours 40 minutes. Find the speed of the water current if the speed of the steamer in still water is 18 mph

The speed of water current is 1.8 mphStep-by-step explanation:1. The speed of steamer in still water IS 18 mphLet the speed of current be x mphWhen traveling downstream, the distance between the two ports is covered in 3 hours.The steamer is helped by the current , so the speed will be ;18 +x mphThe distance travelled downstream will be 3(18+x) miles.2.Travelling upstream, the time used by the steamer is 3 hours and 40 minutes, which is equivalent to 3 2/3 hrs. Traveling upstream , the current will hinder the streamer , thus the speed will be (18-x) mph.Distance travelled upstream will be 3 2/3 * (18-x) milesEquate the two equations for distance to get value of x3(18+x) = 3 2/3 (18-x)3(18+x)= 11/3 (18-x)9(18+x)=11(18-x)162 +9x =198-11x9x+11x =198-16220x=36x=36/20 = 1.8 mphLearn More : speed#LearnwithBrainly