Question: Time required by two pipes A and B working separately to fill a tank is 36 seconds and 45 seconds respectively. Another pipe C can empty the tank in 30 seconds. Initially, A and B are opened and after 7 seconds, C is also opened. In how much more time the tank would be completely filled?
Solution:
Let the capacity of the tank be LCM (36, 45, 30) = 180 units
∴ Efficiency of pipe A = 180/36 = 5 units/second
Efficiency of pipe B = 180/45 = 4 units/second
Efficiency of pipe C = - 180 / 30 = - 6 units/second
Now,
for the first 7 seconds, A and B were open.
Combined efficiency of A and B = 5 + 4 = 9 units/second
∴ Part of the tank filled in 7 seconds = 7 × 9 = 63 units
Part of tank empty = 180 - 63 = 117 units
Now, all pipes are opened.
Combined efficiency of all pipes = 5 + 4 - 6 = 3 units/second
Therefore, more time required = 117/3 = 39 seconds.