A fisherman rows his boat toward a town 17 miles upstream. Each day he rows the boat 6 miles upstream, and each night the boat drifts back 2 miles. If this pattern continues on which day will he reach the town?

The fisherman reaches the town on 4th day. SOLUTION: Given, A fisherman rows his boat toward a town 17 miles upstream.  Each day he rows the boat 6 miles upstream, and each night the boat drifts back 2 miles.  We have to find If this pattern continues on which day will he reach the town? Now, after 1st day distance between him and town = 17 – 6 = 11 miles And after that night, distance = 11 + 2 = 13 miles Now, again after 2nd day, distance = 13 – 6 = 7 miles  And after that night, distance = 7 + 2 = 9 miles  Now, again after 3rd day, distance = 9 – 6 = 3 miles And after the night, distance = 3 + 2 = 5 miles Now, again after 4th day, distance = 5 – 6 miles = - 1 miles  Here, - 1 miles means that he already reached the town. Hence, the fisherman reaches the town on 4th day