# Homework Help: Boat vector physics problem

1. Feb 4, 2010

### Awsom Guy

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
I have two questions but I need help with the second.
1. A boat can travel at 3.0ms-2 in still water and wishes to travel directly across a river with a current of 1.0ms-1. What direction upstream does the boat need to be steered.
I got the answer - the boat goes at an 18 $$\circ$$ and at an direction which I dont know.
2. If the boat in question 4 heads directly across the river which is 1.0km wide how far downstream will it reach the opposite bank?

2. Relevant equations
Just Vectors.

3. The attempt at a solution
Well I attempted it.
I had a triangle with the 1.0km across another side.
I didn't really get that far.

Thanks

2. Feb 4, 2010

### Matterwave

Re: Vectors

If the boat travels at 3 m/s and the current is 1 m/s that means for every 3 meters the boat travels in the perpendicular direction, the current carries it 1 meter in the parallel direction (relative to the shores).

Can you go from there?

3. Feb 4, 2010

### Awsom Guy

Re: Vectors

wait isn't that for the first question, i need help on the second question please. Maybe I wasn't clear on the question I have metioned it there, the first question is there because the second one belongs to the first.
Thanks.