Answer:
The current of the water is 1.714 mph.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the boat in t hours can travel 18 miles upstream, and 24 miles downstream.
Therefore, if the speed of the boat in still water is 12 mph and that of water is x mph , then we can write
........ (1) and
............ (2)
Now, adding those two equations (1) and (2) we get,
⇒ t = 1.75 hours.
Now, from equation (1) we get
⇒ x = 1.714 mph
Therefore, the current of the water is 1.714 mph. (Answer)