Solution:
Let the speed of stream be x km/hr
Given, speed of boat in still water is .
So, speed of downstream
And, speed of upstream
Using, speed = distance/ time
Time taken by the boat to go km upstream
And, time taken by the boat to return km downstream
From the question, the boat returns to the same point in hr.
[by factorisation method]
∴
x
As the speed of the stream can never be negative, only the positive solution is considered.
Therefore, the speed of the stream is km/hr.