Question:

A man crosses a 320 m wide river perpendicular to the current in 4 min. If in still water he can swim with a speed 5/3 times that of the current, then the speed of the current, in m/min is

Show Hint

To cross river perpendicularly, swimmer must head upstream at angle \(\theta = \sin^{-1}(v_r/v_m)\).
Updated On: Apr 23, 2026
  • 30
  • 40
  • 50
  • 60
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Resultant velocity across river = width/time. Also, \(v_m = \frac{5}{3}v_r\).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Width = 320 m, time = 4 min. Velocity across river = \(\frac{320}{4} = 80\) m/min.
Let current speed = \(v_r\). Man's speed in still water = \(\frac{5}{3}v_r\).
To cross perpendicularly, \(v_m^2 = v_r^2 + (80)^2\) (vector addition: man swims at angle upstream).
\(\left(\frac{5}{3}v_r\right)^2 = v_r^2 + 6400 \Rightarrow \frac{25}{9}v_r^2 = v_r^2 + 6400 \Rightarrow \frac{16}{9}v_r^2 = 6400\).
\(v_r^2 = 6400 \times \frac{9}{16} = 400 \times 9 = 3600 \Rightarrow v_r = 60\) m/min.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, speed of current = 60 m/min.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0