Boat and Stream Questions – Practice MCQs
Practice these 100 important Boat and Stream Questions for SSC, Railway, Banking, Police, Defence, and other government competitive exams. This set covers upstream and downstream speed, speed in still water, stream speed, time–distance calculations, average speed, and boat-based aptitude problems. Select an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
1. A boat travels 30 km downstream in 3 hours. What is its downstream speed?
Downstream speed = distance ÷ time = 30 ÷ 3 = 10 km/h.
2. A boat covers 24 km upstream in 4 hours. Find its upstream speed.
Upstream speed = 24 ÷ 4 = 6 km/h.
3. The speed of a boat in still water is 12 km/h and the stream speed is 3 km/h. Find its downstream speed.
Downstream speed = still-water speed + stream speed = 12 + 3 = 15 km/h.
4. A boat moves at 15 km/h in still water. If the stream flows at 4 km/h, what is its upstream speed?
Upstream speed = still-water speed − stream speed = 15 − 4 = 11 km/h.
5. A boat's downstream speed is 18 km/h and upstream speed is 10 km/h. Find its speed in still water.
Still-water speed = (downstream speed + upstream speed) ÷ 2 = (18 + 10) ÷ 2 = 14 km/h.
6. A boat's downstream speed is 20 km/h and upstream speed is 12 km/h. Find the speed of the stream.
Stream speed = (downstream speed − upstream speed) ÷ 2 = (20 − 12) ÷ 2 = 4 km/h.
7. A boat covers 48 km downstream in 4 hours and the same distance upstream in 6 hours. Find its speed in still water.
Downstream speed = 48/4 = 12 km/h; upstream speed = 48/6 = 8 km/h. Still-water speed = (12 + 8)/2 = 10 km/h.
8. A boat covers 60 km downstream in 3 hours and 60 km upstream in 5 hours. Find the stream speed.
Downstream speed = 20 km/h; upstream speed = 12 km/h. Stream speed = (20 − 12)/2 = 4 km/h.
9. A boat's speed in still water is 20 km/h and stream speed is 5 km/h. How far will it travel downstream in 2 hours?
Downstream speed = 20 + 5 = 25 km/h. Distance in 2 hours = 25 × 2 = 50 km.
10. A boat's speed in still water is 18 km/h and stream speed is 3 km/h. How far will it travel upstream in 4 hours?
Upstream speed = 18 − 3 = 15 km/h. Distance = 15 × 4 = 60 km.
11. A boat travels 72 km downstream at 24 km/h. Find the time taken.
Time = distance ÷ speed = 72 ÷ 24 = 3 hours.
12. A boat travels 84 km upstream at 12 km/h. Find the time taken.
Time = 84 ÷ 12 = 7 hours.
13. A boat moves downstream at 16 km/h. How much distance will it cover in 2.5 hours?
Distance = speed × time = 16 × 2.5 = 40 km.
14. A boat moves upstream at 9 km/h. How much distance will it cover in 4 hours?
Distance = 9 × 4 = 36 km.
15. A boat covers 90 km downstream in 5 hours. If its upstream speed is 12 km/h, find its speed in still water.
Downstream speed = 90/5 = 18 km/h. Still-water speed = (18 + 12)/2 = 15 km/h.
16. A boat covers 80 km upstream in 8 hours. If its downstream speed is 14 km/h, find its speed in still water.
Upstream speed = 80/8 = 10 km/h. Still-water speed = (14 + 10)/2 = 12 km/h.
17. A boat's speed in still water is 16 km/h and stream speed is 4 km/h. Find the time to cover 60 km downstream.
Downstream speed = 16 + 4 = 20 km/h. Time = 60/20 = 3 hours.
18. A boat's speed in still water is 18 km/h and stream speed is 6 km/h. Find the time to cover 48 km upstream.
Upstream speed = 18 − 6 = 12 km/h. Time = 48/12 = 4 hours.
19. A boat goes 36 km downstream and returns 36 km upstream. Its still-water speed is 15 km/h and stream speed is 3 km/h. Find the total time.
Downstream speed = 18 km/h, upstream speed = 12 km/h. Total time = 36/18 + 36/12 = 2 + 3 = 5 hours.
20. A boat goes 40 km downstream and returns 40 km upstream. Its still-water speed is 20 km/h and stream speed is 5 km/h. Find the total time.
Downstream speed = 25 km/h; upstream speed = 15 km/h. Total time = 40/25 + 40/15 = 68/15 ≈ 4.53 hours; no exact option is provided.
21. A boat covers 30 km downstream and 30 km upstream in a total of 4 hours. If the stream speed is 2 km/h, find its still-water speed.
Equation: 30/(v+2) + 30/(v−2) = 4. Solving gives v = 16 km/h; no exact option is provided.
22. A boat travels 24 km downstream in 2 hours and returns upstream in 3 hours. Find the stream speed.
Downstream speed = 12 km/h; upstream speed = 8 km/h. Stream speed = (12−8)/2 = 2 km/h.
23. A boat travels 45 km downstream in 3 hours and returns in 5 hours. Find its speed in still water.
Downstream speed = 15 km/h; upstream speed = 9 km/h. Still-water speed = (15+9)/2 = 12 km/h.
24. A boat travels 56 km downstream in 4 hours and returns in 7 hours. Find the stream speed.
Downstream speed = 14 km/h; upstream speed = 8 km/h. Stream speed = (14−8)/2 = 3 km/h; correct option is C.
25. A boat's speed in still water is 10 km/h and stream speed is 2 km/h. Find the average speed for equal distances downstream and upstream.
For equal distances, average speed = 2uv/(u+v), where u=12 and v=8. Average = 2×12×8/20 = 9.6 km/h.
26. A boat's downstream speed is 15 km/h and upstream speed is 9 km/h. Find the average speed for equal distances.
Average speed = 2×15×9/(15+9) = 270/24 = 11.25 km/h.
27. A boat moves at 14 km/h in still water and the stream speed is 3 km/h. Find the ratio of downstream speed to upstream speed.
Downstream speed = 17 km/h and upstream speed = 11 km/h. Ratio = 17:11.
28. A boat moves at 25 km/h in still water and stream speed is 5 km/h. Find the ratio of downstream to upstream speed.
Downstream speed = 30 km/h; upstream speed = 20 km/h. Ratio = 30:20 = 3:2, which is not listed; correct ratio should be 3:2.
29. A boat's downstream speed is twice its upstream speed. If the stream speed is 3 km/h, find the boat's speed in still water.
Let upstream speed be x. Downstream = 2x. Difference = 2×stream speed = 6, so x=6 and downstream=12. Still-water speed=(12+6)/2=9 km/h.
30. A boat's downstream speed is three times its upstream speed. If the still-water speed is 16 km/h, find the stream speed.
Let stream speed be s. (16+s)/(16−s)=3. Solving gives 16+s=48−3s, so s=8 km/h.
31. A boat's speed in still water is 12 km/h. If its downstream speed is 15 km/h, find the time to cover 48 km upstream.
Stream speed = 15−12=3 km/h. Upstream speed=12−3=9 km/h. Time=48/9=5⅓ hours; no exact option is provided.
32. A boat's speed in still water is 20 km/h. It takes 3 hours downstream and 5 hours upstream to cover the same distance. Find the distance.
Let distance be d. d/3 = 20+s and d/5 = 20−s. Adding: 2d/?? More directly, downstream and upstream speeds have average 20: d/3 + d/5 = 40, so 8d/15=40, d=75 km; no exact option is provided.
33. A boat takes 2 hours downstream and 3 hours upstream for the same distance. If stream speed is 2 km/h, find the speed in still water.
Let distance be d. d/2 = v+2 and d/3=v−2. Thus 2(v+2)=3(v−2), giving v=10 km/h.
34. A boat takes 4 hours downstream and 6 hours upstream for the same distance. If stream speed is 3 km/h, find its still-water speed.
Let distance be d. d/4=v+3 and d/6=v−3. Thus 6(v+3)=4(v−3), giving v=9 km/h; no exact option is provided.
35. A man can row a boat at 10 km/h in still water. If the stream speed is 2 km/h, how much time will he take to travel 24 km downstream?
Downstream speed=10+2=12 km/h. Time=24/12=2 hours.
36. A man can row at 13 km/h in still water. Stream speed is 3 km/h. Find time to cover 40 km upstream.
Upstream speed=13−3=10 km/h. Time=40/10=4 hours; correct option is B.
37. A boat covers 100 km downstream in 4 hours. If stream speed is 5 km/h, find its still-water speed.
Downstream speed=100/4=25 km/h. Still-water speed=25−5=20 km/h.
38. A boat covers 96 km upstream in 8 hours. If stream speed is 4 km/h, find its still-water speed.
Upstream speed=96/8=12 km/h. Still-water speed=12+4=16 km/h.
39. A boat covers 60 km downstream in 4 hours and 60 km upstream in 6 hours. Find the ratio of its still-water speed to stream speed.
Downstream speed=15 and upstream speed=10. Still-water speed=12.5; stream speed=2.5. Ratio=12.5:2.5=5:1.
40. A boat covers 72 km downstream in 4 hours and 72 km upstream in 8 hours. Find the stream speed.
Downstream speed=18; upstream speed=9. Stream speed=(18−9)/2=4.5 km/h.
41. A boat covers 90 km downstream in 3 hours and 90 km upstream in 6 hours. Find its speed in still water.
Downstream speed=30; upstream speed=15. Still-water speed=(30+15)/2=22.5 km/h.
42. A boat travels 48 km downstream in 2 hours and 48 km upstream in 4 hours. Find the stream speed.
Downstream speed=24; upstream speed=12. Stream speed=(24−12)/2=6 km/h.
43. A boat takes 5 hours to travel downstream and 7 hours upstream over the same distance. If its still-water speed is 12 km/h, find the distance.
Let distance be d. d/5=12+s and d/7=12−s. Adding gives d/5+d/7=24, so 12d/35=24 and d=70 km; correct option is B.
44. A boat takes 3 hours downstream and 4 hours upstream over the same distance. If stream speed is 2 km/h, find the distance.
Let distance be d. d/3=v+2 and d/4=v−2. Equating gives 4(d/3−2)=3(d/4+2); solving yields d=36 km, correct option is C.
45. A boat travels 20 km downstream and 20 km upstream. If its still-water speed is 8 km/h and stream speed is 2 km/h, find total time.
Downstream speed=10, upstream speed=6. Total time=20/10+20/6=2+10/3=5⅓ hours; correct option is D.
46. A boat travels 30 km downstream and 30 km upstream. Its still-water speed is 13 km/h and stream speed is 2 km/h. Find total time.
Downstream speed=15, upstream speed=11. Total time=30/15+30/11≈4.73 hours; no exact option is provided.
47. A boat's speed in still water is 15 km/h. It travels 60 km downstream in 3 hours. Find the stream speed.
Downstream speed=60/3=20 km/h. Stream speed=20−15=5 km/h.
48. A boat's speed in still water is 18 km/h. It travels 84 km upstream in 6 hours. Find the stream speed.
Upstream speed=84/6=14 km/h. Stream speed=18−14=4 km/h.
49. A boat can travel 36 km downstream in 2 hours and 24 km upstream in 2 hours. Find the stream speed.
Downstream speed=18 and upstream speed=12. Stream speed=(18−12)/2=3 km/h.
50. A boat can travel 40 km downstream in 2 hours and 30 km upstream in 2 hours. Find its speed in still water.
Downstream speed=20; upstream speed=15. Still-water speed=(20+15)/2=17.5 km/h.
51. A boat travels 18 km downstream in 1.5 hours and 12 km upstream in 1.5 hours. Find the stream speed.
Downstream speed=12; upstream speed=8. Stream speed=(12−8)/2=2 km/h.
52. A boat travels 25 km downstream in 2 hours and 15 km upstream in 2 hours. Find its speed in still water.
Downstream speed=12.5; upstream speed=7.5. Still-water speed=(12.5+7.5)/2=10 km/h.
53. A boat's downstream speed is 24 km/h and stream speed is 4 km/h. Find the time to travel 80 km upstream.
Still-water speed=24−4=20 km/h. Upstream speed=20−4=16 km/h. Time=80/16=5 hours.
54. A boat's upstream speed is 14 km/h and stream speed is 3 km/h. Find the time to travel 68 km downstream.
Still-water speed=14+3=17 km/h. Downstream speed=17+3=20 km/h. Time=68/20=3.4 hours; no exact option is provided.
55. A boat's downstream speed is 30 km/h and upstream speed is 18 km/h. Find the time to cover 72 km downstream and 72 km upstream.
Time downstream=72/30=2.4 h; upstream=72/18=4 h. Total=6.4 hours.
56. A boat's downstream speed is 28 km/h and upstream speed is 20 km/h. Find the time to cover 56 km each way.
Time=56/28 + 56/20 = 2 + 2.8 = 4.8 hours.
57. A boat's speed in still water is 22 km/h and stream speed is 2 km/h. Find the distance travelled downstream in 3.5 hours.
Downstream speed=24 km/h. Distance=24×3.5=84 km.
58. A boat's speed in still water is 25 km/h and stream speed is 5 km/h. Find the distance travelled upstream in 2.5 hours.
Upstream speed=20 km/h. Distance=20×2.5=50 km.
59. A boat travels 120 km downstream in 4 hours. If its still-water speed is 25 km/h, find the stream speed.
Downstream speed=120/4=30 km/h. Stream speed=30−25=5 km/h.
60. A boat travels 108 km upstream in 6 hours. If its still-water speed is 22 km/h, find the stream speed.
Upstream speed=108/6=18 km/h. Stream speed=22−18=4 km/h.
61. A boat's speed in still water is 30 km/h and stream speed is 6 km/h. Find the time to travel 144 km downstream.
Downstream speed=36 km/h. Time=144/36=4 hours.
62. A boat's speed in still water is 30 km/h and stream speed is 6 km/h. Find the time to travel 96 km upstream.
Upstream speed=24 km/h. Time=96/24=4 hours.
63. A boat covers equal distances downstream and upstream. If downstream speed is 20 km/h and upstream speed is 12 km/h, what percentage is the average speed less than the downstream speed?
Average speed for equal distances = 2×20×12/(20+12)=15 km/h. Reduction = (20−15)/20×100=25%.
64. A boat's still-water speed is 15 km/h and stream speed is 5 km/h. What percentage is the upstream speed of the downstream speed?
Upstream speed=10 km/h and downstream speed=20 km/h. Percentage=10/20×100=50%; correct option is B.
65. A boat's downstream speed is 25 km/h and upstream speed is 15 km/h. Find the speed of the stream and the still-water speed.
Stream speed=(25−15)/2=5 km/h. Still-water speed=(25+15)/2=20 km/h.
66. A boat's downstream speed is 32 km/h and upstream speed is 24 km/h. Find its still-water speed.
Still-water speed=(32+24)/2=28 km/h.
67. A boat's downstream speed is 36 km/h and stream speed is 8 km/h. Find its upstream speed.
Still-water speed=36−8=28 km/h. Upstream speed=28−8=20 km/h; correct option is B.
68. A boat's upstream speed is 16 km/h and stream speed is 4 km/h. Find its downstream speed.
Still-water speed=16+4=20 km/h. Downstream speed=20+4=24 km/h.
69. A boat travels 64 km downstream and 64 km upstream. Its downstream speed is 16 km/h and upstream speed is 8 km/h. Find total time.
Total time=64/16+64/8=4+8=12 hours.
70. A boat travels 90 km downstream and 90 km upstream. Its downstream speed is 30 km/h and upstream speed is 15 km/h. Find total time.
Total time=90/30+90/15=3+6=9 hours; correct option is C.
71. A boat travels 75 km downstream and 75 km upstream. Its downstream speed is 25 km/h and upstream speed is 15 km/h. Find total time.
Total time=75/25+75/15=3+5=8 hours; correct option is B.
72. A boat's still-water speed is 12 km/h and stream speed is 4 km/h. Find the time difference for travelling 64 km downstream and upstream.
Downstream time=64/16=4 h; upstream time=64/8=8 h. Difference=4 h.
73. A boat's still-water speed is 20 km/h and stream speed is 5 km/h. Find the time difference for travelling 100 km downstream and upstream.
Downstream time=100/25=4 h; upstream time=100/15=6⅔ h. Difference=2⅔ h; no exact option is provided.
74. A boat travels 42 km downstream in 2 hours and 30 km upstream in 2 hours. Find its speed in still water.
Downstream speed=21; upstream speed=15. Still-water speed=(21+15)/2=18 km/h.
75. A boat travels 50 km downstream in 2 hours and 30 km upstream in 2 hours. Find the stream speed.
Downstream speed=25; upstream speed=15. Stream speed=(25−15)/2=5 km/h.
76. A boat covers 36 km downstream in 1 hour and 24 km upstream in 2 hours. Find the speed in still water.
Downstream speed=36; upstream speed=12. Still-water speed=(36+12)/2=24 km/h; correct option is D.
77. A boat covers 54 km downstream in 3 hours and 30 km upstream in 3 hours. Find the stream speed.
Downstream speed=18; upstream speed=10. Stream speed=(18−10)/2=4 km/h; correct option is C.
78. A boat's speed in still water is 24 km/h. If stream speed is 6 km/h, find the ratio of time taken for the same distance upstream to downstream.
Upstream speed=18 and downstream speed=30. Time ratio upstream:downstream = 1/18:1/30 = 30:18 = 5:3.
79. A boat's speed in still water is 18 km/h and stream speed is 6 km/h. Find the ratio of downstream distance to upstream distance in equal time.
Downstream speed=24 and upstream speed=12. In equal time, distance ratio=24:12=2:1; correct option is A.
80. A boat's speed in still water is 15 km/h. The stream speed increases from 3 km/h to 5 km/h. By how much does its downstream speed increase?
Downstream speed changes from 18 to 20 km/h. Increase = 2 km/h.
81. A boat's speed in still water is 20 km/h. The stream speed decreases from 6 km/h to 4 km/h. By how much does its upstream speed increase?
Upstream speed changes from 14 to 16 km/h. Increase = 2 km/h.
82. A boat covers 40 km downstream and 40 km upstream in 5 hours. If its speed in still water is 16 km/h, find the stream speed.
Equation: 40/(16+s)+40/(16−s)=5. Solving gives s=8 km/h; correct option is D.
83. A boat covers 30 km downstream and 30 km upstream in 4 hours. If its speed in still water is 16 km/h, find the stream speed.
Equation: 30/(16+s)+30/(16−s)=4. Solving gives s=8 km/h; correct option is D.
84. A boat travels 20 km downstream in 1 hour and returns in 2 hours. Find the ratio of its still-water speed to stream speed.
Downstream speed=20; upstream speed=10. Still-water speed=15 and stream speed=5. Ratio=3:1; correct option is B.
85. A boat's downstream speed is 21 km/h and upstream speed is 15 km/h. How far will it travel in 4 hours downstream and 3 hours upstream together?
Distance=21×4 + 15×3 = 84+45 = 129 km.
86. A boat moves downstream at 18 km/h for 2 hours and upstream at 12 km/h for 3 hours. Find the total distance.
Total distance=18×2 + 12×3 = 36+36 = 72 km.
87. A boat's still-water speed is 17 km/h and stream speed is 3 km/h. Find the time to travel 100 km downstream and 70 km upstream.
Downstream speed=20, upstream speed=14. Total time=100/20+70/14=5+5=10 hours; correct option is C.
88. A boat's still-water speed is 25 km/h and stream speed is 5 km/h. Find the total time to travel 150 km downstream and 100 km upstream.
Downstream speed=30, upstream speed=20. Total time=150/30+100/20=5+5=10 hours; correct option is C.
89. A boat travels 80 km downstream in 4 hours. If it takes 8 hours for the same distance upstream, find the stream speed.
Downstream speed=20, upstream speed=10. Stream speed=(20−10)/2=5 km/h.
90. A boat travels 90 km downstream in 3 hours. If it takes 5 hours upstream for the same distance, find its speed in still water.
Downstream speed=30, upstream speed=18. Still-water speed=(30+18)/2=24 km/h; correct option is D.
91. A boat's speed in still water is 20 km/h. If it travels 60 km downstream in 2 hours, find the time required to travel 60 km upstream.
Downstream speed=30, stream speed=10. Upstream speed=10 km/h. Time=60/10=6 hours; correct option is D.
92. A boat's downstream speed is 18 km/h and upstream speed is 12 km/h. How much time is needed to cover 54 km downstream and 36 km upstream?
Time=54/18 + 36/12 = 3+3=6 hours; correct option is C.
93. A boat's speed in still water is 14 km/h and stream speed is 2 km/h. Find the distance covered in 3 hours downstream and 4 hours upstream.
Downstream speed=16, upstream speed=12. Distance=16×3+12×4=48+48=96 km; no exact option is provided.
94. A boat's downstream speed is 26 km/h and upstream speed is 14 km/h. Find the distance covered in 5 hours downstream and 3 hours upstream.
Distance=26×5+14×3=130+42=172 km; no exact option is provided.
95. A boat's speed in still water is 10 km/h and stream speed is 2 km/h. Find the time to cover 16 km downstream and 16 km upstream.
Downstream speed=12, upstream speed=8. Total time=16/12+16/8=4/3+2=10/3 hours; no exact option is provided.
96. A boat's speed in still water is 21 km/h and stream speed is 3 km/h. Find the time to cover 72 km downstream and 54 km upstream.
Downstream speed=24, upstream speed=18. Total time=72/24+54/18=3+3=6 hours; correct option is B.
97. A boat travels 45 km downstream and 30 km upstream in 3 hours total. If stream speed is 5 km/h, find its still-water speed.
Equation: 45/(v+5)+30/(v−5)=3. Solving gives v=20 km/h.
98. A boat travels 60 km downstream and 40 km upstream in 4 hours total. If stream speed is 5 km/h, find its still-water speed.
Equation: 60/(v+5)+40/(v−5)=4. Solving gives v=15 km/h.
99. A boat travels 30 km downstream and 20 km upstream in 2 hours total. If stream speed is 5 km/h, find its still-water speed.
Equation: 30/(v+5)+20/(v−5)=2. Solving gives v=20 km/h.
100. A boat's downstream speed is 22 km/h and upstream speed is 14 km/h. Find the stream speed.
Stream speed=(22−14)/2=4 km/h.
Conclusion
Boat and stream problems become easier when you remember these formulas: downstream speed = speed in still water + stream speed, upstream speed = speed in still water − stream speed, speed in still water = (downstream speed + upstream speed) ÷ 2, and stream speed = (downstream speed − upstream speed) ÷ 2. Regular practice of these 100 Boat and Stream Questions can improve your calculation speed and accuracy in SSC, Railway, Banking, Police, Defence, and other competitive examinations.
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