Speedy Boat Adventure: How Fast Was It Sailing?

While the boat was sailing north, how fast was it sailing?

A. 5 mph

B. 10 mph

C. 15 mph

Answer:

The boat was sailing at a speed of 5 mph while heading north.

The question involves calculating the speed of the boat when it was sailing north, given the time and distance information. It's a basic physics problem involving speed, distance, and time, solvable via Pythagoras' theorem or the method of vector subtraction. The boat first sailed due west for 2 hours at a speed of 10 mph, so it travelled 2*10 = 20 miles west. The overall displacement from the port is given as 25 miles. Considering it a right triangle, the distance travelled north can be calculated using Pythagoras' theorem: sqrt(25^2 - 20^2) = 15 miles. Since the boat sailed north for 3 hours and the distance travelled is 15 miles, the speed while it was travelling north can be calculated as distance/time = 15/3 = 5 mph. So, the boat was sailing at a speed of 5 mph while heading north.

Next time you're on a boat, remember to calculate your speed and enjoy the adventure!