The speed of a stream is 2mph. A boat travels 12 miles upstream in the same time it takes to travel 16 miles downstream. What is the speed of the boat in still water?

14mph

Since you need to reduce 2mph if you go upstream and add 2mph if you go downstream.

In the given question there are several important information's provide. Based on them the speed of the boat in still water needs to be found. Firstly it is given that the speed of the stream is 2 mph. The boat travels for a distance of 12 miles upstream and 16 miles downstream in the same time.

Let us assume the speed of the boat = x

Then upstream speed = x - 2

Downstream speed = x + 2

Since time in this case is equal

So

12 / (x - 2) = 16 / (x + 2)

12 (x + 2) = 16 (x - 2)

12x + 24 = 16x - 32

- 4x = - 56

x = 14

So the speed of the boat in still water is 14 mph