Answer: 2 km/h
Explanation:
Let s be the speed of the current.
Let x be the time it has traveled against the current and let y be the time it traveled with the current.
Obviously, d=rt.
The rate at going against is 20-s km/hr and with is 20+s km/hr.
d=rt, or, solving for t, t = d/r.
We set t to equal x, so x = d/r.
The distance is 36, as stated, so x = 36/r
And the rate is 20-s, so x = 36/20-s.
Similarly, for y, y=22/20+s
Add those two equations to get x+y=(36/20-s)+(22/20+s).
We know that x+y=3 since the total time traveled was 3 hours.
System of equations: \(x+y=\frac{36}{20-s}+\frac{22}{20+s}, x+y=3\).
We can now solve for s. I believe that you can solve this yourself, so I won't go over the hassle.
You should eventually get s = -20/3 or 2. Obviously, only the positive number works.
Therefore, the answer is 2 km/h.
(Can somebody check this? I'm not 100% sure about it. Thanks!)
You are very welcome!
:P