A Kayaker's Challenge: Paddling Across a Tidal Current
The Situation
A kayaker needs to paddle north across a 100-m-wide harbor. The tide is going out, creating a tidal current that flows to the east at 2.0 m/s. The kayaker can paddle with a speed of 3.0 m/s.
The Challenge
What distance does the kayaker need to paddle to cross the harbor?
How do you calculate the distance the kayaker needs to paddle across the harbor? 100 What is the explanation behind this answer? 3 (paddling speed) - 2 (tidal current speed) = 1 100m (harbor width) / 1 = 100 Therefore, the kayaker need to paddle 100 meters to cross the harbor.