Question

A power boat and a raft both left dock $A$ on a river and headed downstream. The raft drifted at the speed of the river current. The power boat maintained a constant speed with respect to the river. The power boat reached dock $B$ downriver, then immediately turned and traveled back upriver. It eventually met the raft on the river $9$ hours after leaving dock $A.$ How many hours did it take the power boat to go from $A$ to $B?$

$3$

$3.5$

$4$

$4.5$

$5$

Solution:

Measure everything relative to the water. In that frame the raft is stationary at the point where the boat started, and the boat moves at its constant speed $v$ relative to the water, both downstream and upstream.

The boat leaves the raft, travels away for some time, then returns to it at the same relative speed, so it spends equal times going and returning. Hence the outbound leg to $B$ takes half of $9,$ which is $4.5$ hours.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

2011 AMC 12A Problem 12

Solution:

Problem 12 in Other Years