Two people take identical Jet Skis across a river, traveling at the same speed r

Question

Two people take identical Jet Skis across a river, traveling at the same speed relative to the water.
Jet Ski A heads directly across the river and is carried downstream by the current before reaching
the opposite shore. Jet Skis B travels in a direction that is 35
o
(with respect to shore) upstream
and arrives at the opposite shore directly across from the starting point. Which Jet Ski reaches
the opposite shore in the least amount of time? Confirm your answer by finding the ratio of the
time it takes for the two Jet Skis to cross the river.

Explanation / Answer

As both have same velocities (say V), for Jet Skis A velocity in the direction of opposite shore = V for Jet Skis B velocity in the direction of opposite shore = Vcos(35) Hence Jet Skis A reaches the opposite shore first, as it has higher velocity in that direction. Ratio of times taken ==> A/B = cos(35) = 0.82

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