Use the Pythagorean theorem to answer this question. Becca paddles a boat from the south bank of a stream to the north bank. She paddles at a rate of 8 mph. The stream is flowing west at a rate of 6 mph. What is Becca's actual velocity?

Question

Physics

Robertson

14 February, 12:56

Use the Pythagorean theorem to answer this question. Becca paddles a boat from the south bank of a stream to the north bank. She paddles at a rate of 8 mph. The stream is flowing west at a rate of 6 mph. What is Becca's actual velocity?

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Shepard · Answer 1

Since a stream of water is perpendicular to the movement of Becca, her boat must have been moving going at an angle of north east. Using the Pythagorean formula, we can calculate for the resultant velocity, c.

c^2 = (8 mph) ^2 + (6 mph) ^2

c^2 = 64 + 36

c^2 = 100

c = 10 mph