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3rdpipes and Cisterns New1
3rdpipes and Cisterns New1
Course material
For
Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude
SITAMS
Page 1
PREREQUISITES:
1.
Inlet:
A pipe connected with a tank or a cistern or a reservoir, that fills it, is known as an
inlet.
Outlet:
A pipe connected with a tank or cistern or reservoir, emptying it, is known as an
outlet.
11
- .
xy
5. If a pipe can fill a tank in x hours and another pipe can empty the full tank in y hours
(where y > x), then on opening both the pipes, then
the net part emptied in 1 hour = 1-1 .
SITAMS
Page 2
8.Pipes 'A' & 'B' can fill a tank in f1hrs & f2hrs respectively.Another pipe 'C' can empty the
full tank in 'e'hrs.If the three pipes are opened simultaneously then the tank is filled in
F = L/[(L/f1) + (L/f2) - (L/e)]
9.Two taps 'A' & 'B' can fill a tank in 't1' & 't2' hrs respectively.Another pipe 'C' can empty the
full tank in 'e'hrs.If the tank is full & all the three pipes are opened simultaneously . Then the
tank will be emptied in,
E = L/[(L/e) - (L/f1) - (L/f2)]
10.A filling tap can fill a tank in 'f'hrs.But it takes 'e'hrs longer due to a leak at the bottom.The
leak will empty the full tank in ,
E = [t(f * e) * tf]/[t(f + e) - tf]
11.Capacity of the tank is ,
F = (f * e)/(e - f)
SITAMS
Page 3
Solved Examples
1.
Two taps A and B can fill a tank in 10 hours and 15 hours and 15 hours
respectively. If both the taps are opened together, the tank will be full in ?
Ans:6hrs
Basic Formula:
If A can do a piece of work in x hours and B can do a piece of work in y hours. Then
xy
hours
x y
10 hours
Time taken by B
15 hours
15 X 10
15 10
15X 10
25
2.
6 hours.
respectively. The time in minutes that the three pipes together will take to fill the cistern is:
Ans:5
TCS 2008
Basic Formula:
A can do a piece of work in x minutes
B can do a piece of work in y minutes
C can do a piece of work in z minutes
Minutes work of each of the three is 1/x +1/y + 1/z
SITAMS
Page 4
3.
3 45
60
1/5
5 minutes
12
60
Two pipes can fill a tank in 10 hours and 12 hours resp. while third pipe empties the
full tank in 20 hours. If all the three pipes operate simultaneously, in how much time the tank
will be filled?
Ans;7 hrs 30 mins
Basic Formula:
Pipe A can fill a tank in x hours and pipe B can fill a tank in y hours and pipe C can empty it
in z hours. If all the pipes are operate simultaneously,
1 hours of work of each of the three pipes
SITAMS
653
60
2
15
15/2 hours
7 hours 30 minutes.
8
60
7 hour
Page 5
A cistern can be filled in 9 hours but it takes 10 hours due to a leak in its bottom. If
the cistern is full, then the time that the leak will take to empty it is:
CAT 2007
Ans:90 hrs
Basic Formula:
If A can fill a tank in x hours and B can fill a tank in y hours. Then the tank will be
filled (empty) in
xy
hours
x y
9 hours
Time taken by B
10 hours
9 x10
10 9
90 hours.
5.
An electric pump can fill a tank in 3 hours. Because of a leak in the tank, it took 3
hours to fill the tank. The leak can drain out of all the water of the tank in:
Ans:21 hrs
Basic Formula:
If A can fill a tank in x hours and B can fill a tank in y hours. Then the tank will be filled
(empty) in
xy
hours
x y
3 hours
Time taken
3 hours
3 x3
SITAMS
1
2
1
3 3
2
Page 6
7
2
7
3
2
7
2
76
2
3x
=
6.
21 hours
Taps A and B can fill a bucket in 12 minutes and 15 minutes respectively. If both
are opened and A is closed after 3 minutes. How much further time would it take for B to fill
the bucket?
WIPRO 2009
15 X 12
3
3 =
20
9/20
Remaining part
=
SITAMS
1- 9/20 =
11/20
Page 7
11
-15
20
33/4
8 hours 15 seconds.
7.
8 hours
A tank can be filled by a tap in 20 minutes and by another tap in 60 mintues. Both
taps are kept open for 10 mintues and then the first tap is shut off. After this, the tank will be
completely filled in:
Ans:20 min
Basic Formula:
Total work (to fill or empty) = I part + II part =1
Answer with Explanation:
For 10 minutes (I part)
=
1
1
10
20 60
4
10
60
4/6
2/3
Remaining part
=
1- ( I part)
1-2/3
1/3
1/3 X 60
20 minutes.
SITAMS
Page 8
8.
If two pipes function simultaneously the reservoir will be filled in 12 hours, one
pipe fills the reservoir 10 hours faster than the other. How many hours it takes the second
pipe to fill the reservoir?
ACCENTURE 2008
Ans:30 hours
Basic Formula:
Taken unknown value as x and use
xy
x y
1/12
x 10 x
x( x 10)
1/12
12 (10+2x)
x2 +10x
(x-20) (x+6)
One tap can fill a cistern in 2 hours and another tap can empty the cistern in 3 hours. How
long will they take to fill the cistern if both the taps are opened?
Ans: 6hours
SITAMS
Page 9
Basic Formula:
Pipe A can fill a tank in x hours and pipe B can empty it in y hours. If both the pipes
opened together, the tank will be filled in
xy
hours.
x y
2 hours
=
3 hours
2X 3
3 1
6 hours.
12 buckets of water fill a taken when the capacity of each bucked is 13.5 liter. How
many buckets will be needed to fill the same tank, if the capacity of each bucket is 9 litres ?
Ans:18
CTS 2007
Basic Formula:
Here the tank is same
Number of buckets X capacity of bucket
W1
W2
N2 X9
N2X W2
N1 = No. of Buckets
N2 = No. of Buckets
=
12 X 13.5
N2
12X 13.5
9
N2
SITAMS
54/3
18
Page 10
10.
Bucket p has thrice the capacity as bucket Q. It takes 60 turns for bucket P to fill the
empty drum. How many turns it will take for both the buckets p and q having each turn
together to fill the empty drum:
Answer:45
Basic Formula:
xy
x y
11.
180 X 60
60 180
=
180X 60
240
45 turns.
Two pipes A and B fill a tank in 15 hours and 20 hours respectively while a third
pipe c can empty the full tank in 25 hours. All the three pipes are opened in the beginning,
after 10 hours, c is closed. In how much time, will the tank be full ? ans:12 hrs
Basic Formula:
1/x +1/y - 1/z
15
20
-25
SITAMS
Page 11
1
1
1
For 10 hours = 10
15 20 25
15
12
20
10
23
10
300
23/30 ( Part I)
Remaining part
=1- 23/30
7/30
1/15 + 1/20
4/60 + 3/60
7/60
=
2 hours
12 hours
Two pipes A and B and can fill a cistern in 12 minutes and 15 minutes respectively
but a third pipe c can empty the full tank in 6 mintues. A and B are kept open for 5 minutes in
the beginning and then c is also opened. In what time is the cistern emptied ..
Ans:45 mints
Basic Formula:
1/x +1/y - 1/z
Answer with Explanation:
A
12
15
-6
1 1
For 5 minutes = 5
12 15
SITAMS
Page 12
27
5
180
-3/180 =
Three pipes A, B and C can fill a tank in 6 hours. After working at it together for
2hours, C is closed and A and B can fill the remaining part in 7 hours. The number of hours
taken by C alone to fill the cistern is:
INFOSYS 2008
Answer:14
Basic Formula:
Cs work =
1/6
For 2 hours
2 (1/6) =
Remaining
2/3
2/3
2/21
1/3
1/6 -2/21
9/126 =
1/14
Page 13
A leak in the bottom of a tank can empty the full tank in 8 hours. An inlet pipe fills
water are the rate of 6 liters a minute. When the tank is full, the inlet is opened and due to the
leak, the tank is empty in 12 hours. How many litres does the cistern hold ?
Ans: 8,640
Basic Formula:
Work done = 1/x 1/y
Time X number of liters
Answer with Explanation:
Time taken to fill the tank is 1/8
Time taken to empty the taken is 1/12
1 1
Work done by the inlet in 1 hour = =
8 12
=
Work done by the inlet in 1 minute =
Therefore
SITAMS
Volume
12 8
12 X 8
4
=
12 X 8
1/24
1/24 X 1/60
1440 X6 liters
8640 liters
1/1440
Page 14
Solved problems
1.A leak in the bottom of a tank can empty the full tank in 6 hours. An inlet pipe fills water at
the rate of 4 litres a minute. When the tank is full the inlet is opened and due to the leak the
tank is empty in 8 hours. The capacity of the tank in litres is : Ans 5760.
CAT 2010
Basic Formula:
Work done = 1/x 1/y
Time X number of liters
Answer with Explanation:
Time taken to fill the tank is 1/6 hour (Time taken to empty = time taken to full)
Time taken to empty the tank is 1/8
Work done by the inlet in 1 hour
(1/6 1/8)
=
For 1 minute =
1/24X1/60
86
=
6X 8
2 / 48 =
1/24
1/1440
An inlet pipe fill water at the rate of 4 liters a minute = 1440 X 4 = 5760 liters
02.A tap can fill a tank in 16 minutes and another can empty it in 8 minutes. If the tank is
already half-full and both tanks are opened together, the tank will be :
Ans: emptied in 8 min
Basic Formula:
Work done = 1/x 1/y
Answer with Explanation:
Time taken to fill the tank in = 1/16 min
Time taken to empty the tank in = 1/8 min
SITAMS
Page 15
8 16
=
16 X 8
-8 / 16X8
A + B = 1/x+1/y
Answer with Explanation:
To fill the cistern
(1/12 + 1/15) =
3/20
27
12 X 15
1/20 3/20
-2/20 =
CAT 2010
Ans 4 min
SITAMS
Page 16
Basic Formula:
Let B be closed after x minutes.
I part + II part =
I part
II part =
1
1
x + (9-x) X 1/12
12 16
x
16 12 9
=
x
12 X 16 12 12
28
- x/12 =
12 x16
1
1-9/12
7x
x
12 x 4 12
3/12
7x 4x
12
3x
12
SITAMS
Page 17
Therefore
2/5 X15
10 6
10 X 6
4
60
1
15
6 minutes
06.. Pipes A and B take 20 and 30 minutes to fill a tank respectively. The 2 together will take
Answer : 12
Basic Formula:
AB/A+ B
Answer with Explanation:
A
20
30
Together
A+B/AB
20 30
20 X 30
50
20 X 30
1
12
Therefore 12 minutes.
07.. 2 pipes A and B can fill a tank in 36 hours and 45 hours respectively. If both are opened
simultaneously, how much time will be taken to fill the tank?
Answer : 20 hours
Basic Formula:
Time taken to fill the tank =
A+B/AB
36
45
SITAMS
Page 18
36 X 45
36 45
36X 45
81
20 hours
08.Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 6 hours and 4 hours respectively. If they are
opened on alternate hours and if pipe A is opened first, in how many hours, the tank shall
be full ?
INFOSYS 2007
Ans: 5 hours
Basic Formula:
Its an alternate hours problem
As
1hour work
Bs 1 hour work
1/6
46
24
Remaining = 1-5/6
=1/6
(4+1) hours
=
SITAMS
5 hours
Page 19
9.A tank is fitted with 8 pipes, some of them that fill the tank and others that are waste pipe
meant to empty the tank. Each of the pipes that fill the tank can fill it in 8 hours, while each
of those that empty the tank can empty it in 6 hours. If all the pipes are kept open when the
tank is full, it will take exactly 6 hours for the tank to empty. How many of these are fill
pipes?
(1) 2 (2) 4
Correct Answer - (2)
(3) 6
(4) 5
Solution:
Let the number of fill pipes be n'. Therefore, there will be 8-n, waste pipes.
Each of the fill pipes can fill the tank in 8 hours. Therefore, each of the fill pipes will fill 1/8th
of the tank in an hour.
Hence, n fill pipes will fill n/8th of the tank in an hour.
Similarly, each of the waste pipes will drain the full tank in 6 hours. That is, each of the waste
pipes will drain 1/6th of the tank in an hour.
Therefore, (8-n) waste pipes will drain ((8-n)/6)th of the tank in an hour.
Between the fill pipes and the waste pipes, they drain the tank in 6 hours. That is, when all 8
of them are opened, 1/6th of the tank gets drained in an hour.
(Amount of water filled by fill pipes in 1 hour - Amount of water drained by waste pipes 1
hour)
= 1/6th capacity of the tank drained in 1 hour.
n/8 - 8-n / 6 = -1/6 => 6n-64+8n / 48 = -1/6 => 14n-64= -8 or 14n = 56 or n=4
Note: In problems pertaining to Pipes and Cisterns, as a general rule find out the amount of
the tank that gets filled or drained by each of the pipes in unit time (say in 1 minute or 1
hour).
10.There are 12 pipes that are connected to a tank. Some of them are fill pipes and the others
are drain pipes. Each of the fill pipes can fill the tank in 8 hours and each of the drain pipes
can drain the tank completely in 6 hours. If all the fill pipes and drain pipes are kept open, an
empty tank gets filled in 24 hours. How many of the 12 pipes are fill pipes?
(1)
SITAMS
(2) 8
(3) 7
(4) 5
Page 20
ANS:3
Solution
Let there be n fill pipes attached to the tank.
Therefore, there will be 12 - n drain pipes attached to the tank
Each fill pipe fills the tank in 8 hours. Therefore, each of the fill pipes will fill 1/8th of the
tank in an hour.
Hence, n fill pipes will fill n*1/8 = n/8 th of the tank in an hour.
Each drain pipe will drain the tank in 6 hours. Therefore, each of the drain pipes will drain
1/6 th of the tank in an hour.
Hence, 12 - n drain pipes will drain(12-n) / 6 = 12-n / of the tank in an hour.
When all these 12 pipes are kept open, it takes 24 hours for an empty tank to overflow.
Therefore, in an hour 1/24 thof the tank gets filled.
Hence,n/8 - 12 - n/6 = 1/24.
i.e.3n - 4(12-n) / 24 = 1/24 or 7n - 48 = 1 => 7n = 49 or n = 7.
11.A pump can be used either to fill or to empty a tank. The capacity of the tank is 3600 m3.
The emptying capacity of the pump is 10 m3/min higher than its filling capacity. What is the
emptying capacity of the pump if the pump needs 12 more minutes to fill the tank than to
empty it?
(1) 50 m3 / min
(2) 60 m3 / min
(3) 45 m3 / min
(4) 90 m3 /min
will
The
time
And
the
taken
time
be=
to
taken
(f
fill
the
to
empty
m3
10)
tank
will
be
the
tank
will
3600
be
/
/
3600
min.
f
minutes
/
f+10.
We know that it takes 12 more minutes to fill the tank than to empty it
i.e 3600/f - 3600 / f+10 = 12 => 3600 f + 36000 - 3600 f = 12 (f2 + 10 f)
SITAMS
Page 21
for
positive
value
of
we
get,
50.
(2) 5 hours
(3) 4 hours
(4) 10 hours
(2) 11
(3) 4
(4) 7
SITAMS
Page 22
There are 12 pipes attached to the tank. Let n of them be fill pipes. Therefore, there will be
12-n drain pipes.
Each fill pipe, fills the tank in 12 hours. Therefore, 1/12th of the tank gets filled every hour
by one fill pipe.
n fill pipes will, therefore, fill n/12 th of the tank in an hour.
Each drain pipe drains the tank in 24 hours. That is, 1/24 th of the tank gets drained by one
drain pipe every hour.
12-n drain pipes, will therefore, drain 12-n / 24 th of the tank in an hour.
When all the pipes are open when the tank is empty, it takes 2 hours for the tank to overflow.
i.e. the tank gets filled every hour.
Equating the information, we get n/12 - 12-n/24 = 1/2
=> 2n+n-12 / 24 = 1/2 => 3n - 12 = 12 or 3n = 24 or n = 8.
(2) (2/3)a
CAT 2010
(3) (4/3)a
(4) (3/4)a
Page 23
15.Pipe A fills a tank in 30 minutes. Pipe B can fill the same tank 5 times as fast as pipe A. If
both the pipes were kept open when the tank is empty, how much time will it take for the tank
to overflow?
Explanatory Answer
Pipe B fills the tank 5 times as fast as pipe A.
Therefore, pipe B will fill the tank in one-fifth of the time that pipe A takes.
Pipe B will fill the tank in
In 1 minute, pipe A will fill
= 6 minutes.
th of the tank and pipe B will fill
th of the tank.
16.Three pipes A, B and C can fill a tank from empty to full in 30 minutes, 20 minutes, and
10 minutes respectively. When the tank is empty, all the three pipes are opened. A, B and C
discharge chemical solutions P,Q and R respectively. What is the proportion of the solution R
in the liquid in the tank after 3 minutes?
5
A.
B.
11
11
8
D.
11
C.
11
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
1
1 1
11 11
+ + = 3x = .
30 20 10
60 20
SITAMS
Page 24
Required ratio =
17. Pipes A and B can fill a tank in 5 and 6 hours respectively. Pipe C can
empty it in 12 hours. If all the three pipes are opened together, then the tank
will be filled in:
13
8
A. 1 hours
B.2 hours
17
11
9
C. 3 hours
17
1
D.4 hours
2
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
1 1 1 17
+ - = .
5 6 12 60
60
9
The tank will be full in hours i.e., 3 hours.
17
17
18.A pump can fill a tank with water in 2 hours. Because of la leak, it took 2 hours to fill
the tank. The leak can drain all the water of the tank in:
1
A. 4 hours
3
B.7 hours
C. 8 hours
D.14 hours
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
SITAMS
13 1
- = .
2 7 14
Page 25
B.9 min.
C.10 min.
D.15 min.
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Let B be turned off after x minutes. Then,
Part filled by (A + B) in x min. + Part filled by A in (30 -x) min. = 1.
2
1
2
+ + (30 - x). = 1
75 45
75
B.10 hours
C.15 hours
D.30 hours
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
Suppose, first pipe alone takes x hours to fill the tank .
SITAMS
Page 26
Then, second and third pipes will take (x -5) and (x - 9) hours respectively to fill the tank.
1
1
1
+
=
x (x - 5) (x - 9)
x-5+x
1
=
x(x - 5) (x - 9)
(2x - 5)(x - 9) = x(x - 5)
x2 - 18x + 45 = 0
(x - 15)(x - 3) = 0
x = 15. [neglecting x = 3]
21.Two pipes can fill a tank in 20 and 24 minutes respectively and a waste pipe can empty 3
gallons per minute. All the three pipes working together can fill the tank in 15 minutes. The
capacity of the tank is:
A.60 gallons
B.100 gallons
C.120 gallons
D.180 gallons
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
1 1 1
Work done by the waste pipe in 1 minute = +
15 20 24
=
1 11
15 120
1
=-
1
Volume of part = 3 gallons.
40
Volume of whole = (3 x 40) gallons = 120 gallons.
SITAMS
Page 27
22.A tank is filled in 5 hours by three pipes A, B and C. The pipe C is twice as fast as B and
B is twice as fast as A. How much time will pipe A alone take to fill the tank?
A.20 hours
B.25 hours
C.35 hours
D.Cannot be determined
E. None of these
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
Suppose pipe A alone takes x hours to fill the tank.
x x
Then, pipes B and C will take and hours respectively to fill the tank.
2 4
1 2 4 1
+ + =
x x x 5
7 1
=
x 5
x = 35 hrs.
23.Two pipes A and B together can fill a cistern in 4 hours. Had they been opened separately,
then B would have taken 6 hours more than A to fill the cistern. How much time will be taken
by A to fill the cistern separately?
A.1 hour
B.2 hours
C.6 hours
D.8 hours
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
Let the cistern be filled by pipe A alone in x hours.
Then, pipe B will fill it in (x + 6) hours.
1+
SITAMS
=1
Page 28
x (x + 6) 4
x+6+x 1
=
x(x + 6) 4
x2 - 2x - 24 = 0
(x -6)(x + 4) = 0
x = 6.
24. Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 20 and 30 minutes respectively. If both the pipes are
used together, then how long will it take to fill the tank?
A.12 min
B.15 min
C.25 min
D.50 min
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
1
Part filled by A in 1 min = .
20
1
Part filled by B in 1 min =
.
30
1
1
1
+ = .
20 30 12
Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 15 minutes and 20 minutes respectively. Both the
pipes are opened together but after 4 minutes, pipe A is turned off. What is the total
time required to fill the tank?
A.10 min. 20 sec.
B.11 min. 45 sec.
C.12 min. 30 sec.
SITAMS
Page 29
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
1
1
7
+ = .
15 20 15
7
8
Remaining part = 1 - = .
15 15
1
Part filled by B in 1 minute =
20
1 8
: :: 1 : x
20 15
8
x=
2
x 1 x 20 = 10 min = 10 min. 40 sec.
15
3
The tank will be full in (4 min. + 10 min. + 40 sec.) = 14 min. 40 sec.
26. One pipe can fill a tank three times as fast as another pipe. If together the two pipes can
fill the tank in 36 minutes, then the slower pipe alone will be able to fill the tank in:
A. 81 min.
B.108 min.
C. 144 min.
D.192 min.
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
Let the slower pipe alone fill the tank in x minutes.
x
Then, faster pipe will fill it in minutes.
3
1 3 1
+ =
x x 36
SITAMS
Page 30
4 1
=
x 36
x = 144 min.
27. A large tanker can be filled by two pipes A and B in 60 minutes and 40 minutes
respectively. How many minutes will it take to fill the tanker from empty state if B is
used for half the time and A and B fill it together for the other half?
A. 15 min
B.20 min
C. 27.5 min
D.30 min
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
1
1
1
+ = .
60 40 24
Then,
1
+ =1
2 24 40
x 1
x =1
2 15
x = 30 min.
A tap can fill a tank in 6 hours. After half the tank is filled, three more similar taps are
opened. What is the total time taken to fill the tank completely?
A.3 hrs 15 min
B.3 hrs 45 min
28.
C.4 hrs
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Time taken by one tap to fill half of the tank = 3 hrs.
SITAMS
Page 31
1 2
Part filled by the four taps in 1 hour = 4 x = .
6 3
1 1
Remaining part = 1 - = .
2 2
21
: :: 1 : x
32
x=
1
3 3
x 1 x = hours i.e., 45 mins.
2
2 4
1
D.7 hours
2
C.7 hours
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
1
1
9 3
+ = = .
12 15 60 20
1
1
8 2
+ = = .
12 20 60 15
SITAMS
2 17
+ = .
20 15 60
Page 32
17 17
Part filled in 6 hrs = 3 x = .
60 20
17 3
Remaining part = 1 - = .
20 20
3
Now, it is the turn of A and B and part is filled by A and B in 1 hour.
20
Total time taken to fill the tank = (6 + 1) hrs = 7 hrs.
30. Three pipes A, B and C can fill a tank in 6 hours. After working at it together for 2 hours,
C is closed and A and B can fill the remaining part in 7 hours. The number of hours taken
by C alone to fill the tank is:
A. 10
B.12
C. 14
D.16
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
2 1
Part filled in 2 hours = =
6 3
1 2
Remaining part = 1 - = .
3 3
2
(A + B)'s 7 hour's work =
3
2
(A + B)'s 1 hour's work =
21
C's 1 hour's work = { (A + B + C)'s 1 hour's work } - { (A + B)'s 1 hour's work }
1 2
1
- =
6 21 14
SITAMS
Page 33
1 1 5
+ =
4 6 12
12
A and B will fill the tank in hrs = 2 hrs 24 min.
5
So, II and III are needed.
Correct answer is (B).
32. How much time will the leak take to empty the full cistern?
I. The cistern is normally filled in 9 hours.
II. It takes one hour more than the usual time to fill the cistern because of la leak in the
bottom.
A. I alone sufficient while II alone not sufficient to answer
B. II alone sufficient while I alone not sufficient to answer
SITAMS
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1 1
1
- =
9 10 90
SITAMS
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1
I. A's 1 minute's filling work =
16
1
II. B's 1 minute's filling work =
8
(A + B)'s 1 minute's emptying work =
1 1
1
- =
8 16 16
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50 m3 / min
60 m3 / min
45 m3 / min
90 m3 /min
72 m3 /min
Explanatory Answer
Let 'f' m3/min be the filling capacity of the pump.
Therefore, the emptying capacity of the pump will be = (f + 10 ) m3 / min.
minutes
i.e
= 12
SITAMS
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36.There are three taps A, B and C in a container. Tap A and B can fill the container in 15
and 10 minutes respectively, if they are working alone. Tap C can empty it in 12 minutes if
it is working alone. Initially all the Taps are closed. Tap A is opened alone for 3 minutes.
Now A is closed and B is opened alone for 2 minutes. Now B is closed and C is opened
alone for 5 minutes. Finally all the three taps are opened together. How long will it take to
fill the tank?
10 minutes
12 minutes
Tank Cannot be filled
None of these
Answer :12 minutes
Solution (Fast Approach)
Part 1
Tap A alone can fill 100% of the container in 15 min.
Its opened for 3 minutes. Hence it fills (3/15)x100 = 20% of the conatainer
In the same way in 2 minute B can fill (2/10)x100 = 20%.
Now container is 40% full
Now Tap C is opened for 5 min. It can empty (5/12)x100 = 41.67% of the container in 5
min. Only 40% of the container is filled, hence C will completely empty the container.
Part 2
In 1 min A, B and C combined can fill (1/15 + 1/10 - 1/12) = 1/12 portion of the container
Hence 1 portion (Full) can be filled in 1/(1/12) = 12 minutes
37. Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 36 hours and 45 hours respectively. If both the pipes
are opened simultaneously, how much time will be taken to fill the tank?
Sol. Part filled by A In 1 hour = 1/36
Part filled by B in 1 hour = 1/45
Part filled by (A + B) In 1 hour = [1/36 + 1/45] = 9/180 = 1/20
Hence, both the pipes together will fill the tank in 20 hours.
38. A pipe can fill a tank in 16 hours. Due to a leak in the bottom,it is filled in 24 hours. If the
tank is full, how much time will the leak take to empty it ?
SITAMS
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Explanatory Answer
Let there be 'n' fill pipes attached to the tank.
Therefore, there will be 12 - n drain pipes attached to the tank
Each fill pipe fills the tank in 8 hours. Therefore, each of the fill pipes will fill
the tank in an hour.
th of
Each drain pipe will drain the tank in 6 hours. Therefore, each of the drain pipes will
drain
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When all these 12 pipes are kept open, it takes 24 hours for an empty tank to
overflow. Therefore, in an hour
Hence,
i.e.
or 7n - 48 = 1 => 7n = 49 or n = 7.
45. Pipe A, B and C are kept open and together fill a tank in t minutes. Pipe A is kept open
throughout, pipe B is kept open for the first 10 minutes and then closed. Two minutes after
pipe B is closed, pipe C is opened and is kept open till the tank is full. Each pipe fills an equal
share of the tank. Furthermore, it is known that if pipe A and B are kept open continuously,
the tank would be filled completely in t minutes. Find t?
A is kept open for all t minutes and fills one-third the tank. Or, A should be able to fill the
entire tank in '3t' minutes.
A and B together can fill the tank completely in t minutes. A alone can fill it in 3t minutes.
A and B together can fill 1/t of the tank in a minute. A alone can fill 1/3t of the tank in a
minute. So, in a minute, B can fill 1/t - 1/3t = 2/3t. Or, B takes 3t/2 minutes to fill an entire
tank
To fill one-third the tank, B will take t/2 minutes. B is kept open for t - 10 minutes.
t/2 = t - 10, t = 20 minutes.
A takes 60 mins to fill the entire tank, B takes 30 minutes to fill the entire tank. A is kept
open for all 20 minutes. B is kept open for 10 minutes.
C, which is kept open for 8 minutes also fills one-third the tank. Or, c alone can fill the tank
in 24 minutes.
SITAMS
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46.Pipe A fills a tank at the rate of 100lit/min, Pipe B fills at the rate of 25 lit/min, pipe C
drains at the rate of 50 lit/min. The three pipes are kept open for one minute each, one after
the other. If the capacity of the tank is 7000 liters, how long will it take to fill the tank if
i) A is kept open first, followed by B and then C
Each cycle of 3 minutes, 75 liters get filled. 100 + 25 - 50. So, after 3 minutes the tank would
have 75 liters
6 mins - 150 liters
9 mins - 225 liters
30 mins - 750 liters
270 mins - 6750 liters
273 mins - 6825 liters
279 mins - 6975 liters
In the 280th minute, pipe A would be open and it would fill the remaining 25 liters in 15
seconds. So, it would take 279 mins and 15 seconds to fill the tank.
The most important thing in these type of questions is to think in terms of cycles till we reach
close to the required target and then think in simple steps.
ii) B first, followed by A, and then C
Each cycle of 3 minutes, 75 liters get filled. 25 + 100 - 50. So, after 3 minutes the tank would
have 75 liters
6 mins - 150 liters
9 mins - 225 liters
30 mins - 750 liters
270 mins - 6750 liters
273 mins - 6825 liters
279 mins - 6975 liters
In the 280th minute, pipe B would be open and it would fill the remaining 25 liters in one
minutes. So, it would take 280 mins.
SITAMS
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SITAMS
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1.Two taps A and B can fill a tank in 10 hours and 15 hours and 15 hours respectively. If
both the taps are opened together, the tank will be full in ?
Ans:6hrs
2.To fill a cistern, pipes A,B and C take 20 minutes, 15 minute and 12 minutes resp. The time
in minutes that the three pipes together will take to fill the cistern is
Ans:5
3.Two pipes can fill a tank in 10 hours and 12 hours resp. while third pipe empties the full
tank in 20 hours. If all the three pipes operate simultaneously, in how much time the tank will
be filled?
Ans;7 hrs 30 mins
4.A cistern can be filled in 9 hours but it takes 10 hours due to a leak in its bottom. If the
cistern is full, then the time that the leak will take to empty it is
Ans:90 hrs
5.an electric pump can fill a tank in 3 horus. Because of a leak in the tank, it took 3 hours
to fill the tank. The leak can drain out of all the water of the tank in
Ans:21 hrs
6.Taps A and B can fill a bucket in 12 minutes and 15 minutes resp. If both are opened and A
is closed after 3 minutes. How much further time would it take for B to fill the bucket?
Ans 8 min 15 sec
7.A tank can be filled by a tap in 20 minutes and by another rtap in 60 mintues. Both taps are
kept open for 10 mintues and then the first tap is shut off. After this, the tank will be
completely filled in
Ans:20 min
8.If two pipes function simultaneously the reservoir will be filled in 12 hours, one pipe fills
the reservoir 10 hours faster than the other. How many hours it takes the second pipe to fill
the reservoir?
Ans:30 hours
SITAMS
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9.One tap can fill a cistern in 2 hours and another tap can empty the cistern in 3 hours. How
long will they take to fill the cistern if both the taps are opened?
Ans: 6hours
10.12 buckets of water fill a taken when the capacity of each bucked is 13.5 liter. How many
buckets will be needed to fill the same tank, if the capacity of each bucket is 9 litres ?
Ans:18
11.Bucket p has thrice the capacity as bucket Q. It takes 60 turns for bucket P to fill the
empty drum. How many turns it will take for both the buckets p and q having each turn
together to fill the empty drum
ans:45
12.Two pipes A and B fill a tank in 15 hours and 20 hours respectively while a third pipe c
can empty the full tank in 25 hours. All the three pipes are opened in the beginning, after 10
horus, c is closed. In how much time, will the tank be full ?
ans:12 hrs
13.Two pipes A and B and can fill a cistern in 12 minutes and 15 minutes respt but a third
pipe c can empty the full tank in 6 mintues. A and B are kept open for 5 minutes in the
beginning and then c is also opened. In what time is the cistern emptied ..
Ans:45 mints
14.Three pipes A,B and C can fill a tank in 6 hours. After working at it together for 2hours, C
is closed and A and B can fill the remaining part in 7 hours. The number of hours taken by C
alone to fill the cistern is
ans:14
15.A leak in the bottom of atank can empty the full tank in 8 hours. An inlet pipe fills water
are the rate of 6 literes a minute. When the tank is full, the inlet is opened and due to the leak,
the tank is empty in 12 hours. How many litres does the cistern hold ?
Ans: 8,640
16.A leak in the bottom of a tank can empty the full tank in 6 hours. An inlet pipe fills water
at the rate of 4 liters a minute. When the tank is full the inlet is opened and due to the leak the
tank is empty in 8 hours. The capacity of the tank (in litters is :
Ans 5760.
17.A tap can fill a tank in 16 minutes and another can empty it in 8 minutes. If the tank is
already half-full and both tansk are opened together, the tank will be :
SITAMS
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ans:emptied in 8 min
18.A cistern has two taps which fill it in 12 min and 15 min resp. There is also a waste pipe in
the cistern. When all the three are opened, the empty cistern is full in 20 minutes. How long
will waste pipe take to empty the full cistern ?
Ans;10 min
19.Two pipes A and B can fill a cistern in 12 minutes and 15 mint resp. If both the pipes are
opened together, then after how much time B should be closed so that the tank is full in 9
minutes?
Ans 4 min
20.Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 6 hours and 4 hours resp. If they are opened on
alternate hours and if pipe A is opened first, in how many hours, the tank shall be full ?
Ans: 5 hours
21.Pipe A can fill a tank in 5 hours, pipe B in 10 hours and pipe C in 30 hours. If all the pipes
are open,in how many hours will the tank be filled ?
Ans:
= (1/5 + 1/6 + 1/30)
= 1/3.
All the three pipes together will fill the tank in 3 hours.
part filled by (A+B+C) in 1 hour
22.A pump can fill a tank with water in 2 hours. Because of a leak, it took 2x1/3 hours to fill
the tank. The leak can drain all the water of the tank in
A. 5 hours
B. 7 hours
C. 8 hours
D. 14 hours
B. 80 gallons
C. 120 gallons
D. 160 gallons
= 1/15 - (1/20+1/24)
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= (1/15 - 11/20)
= - 1/40
Volume of 1/40 part
Volume of Whole
[ - ve sigh means
emptying]
= 3 gallons.
= (340)
=120 gallons.
24.Two pipes can fill a tank in 10 hours and 12 hours respectively while a third pipe empties the
full tank in 20 hours.If all the three pipes operate simultaneously, in how much time will the tank
be filled?
A. 7 hrs 30 min
B. 7 hrs 45 min
C. 8 hrs 30 min
D. 8 hrs 45 min
= (1/10+1/12-1/20)
= 8/60
= 2/15.
Therefore the tank will be full in 15/2 hours = 7 hrs 30 min.
BANK EXAM QUESTIONS
25 A cistern can be filled by pipe A and B in 12 minutes and 10 minutes respectively. The
full tank can be emptied by a third pipe C in 8 minutes only. If all the taps be turned on at the
same time, the cistern will be full in how much time?
Ans:17(1/7) Minutes
26 Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 10 hours and 15 hours respectively. If both the pipes
open together how much time will it take to fill the tank?
Ans:6 Hours
27. Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 60 minutes. If pipe A alone can fill it in 75 minutes.
How much time will the pipe B take to fill the tank alone?
Ans:300 Minutes
28. Three pipes A, B and C can fill a tank in 30 hours, 20 hours and 10 hours respectively. If
all the pipes open together how much time is required to make the tank full?
Ans:5 (5/11) Hours
SITAMS
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29. Three pipes A, B and C together can fill a tank in 15 minutes. One of the pipes can fill it
in 45 minutes and another in 30 minutes. How much time is taken by the third pipe alone to
make the tank full?
Ans:90 Minutes
30. A cistern can be filled by pipe A and B in 40 minutes and 60 minutes respectively. There
is also an outlet C. If all the taps are open together the tank is full in 2 hours. How much time
is taken by C to empty the full tank?
Ans:30 Minutes
31. A cistern can be filled by pipe A and B in 30 minutes and 45 minutes respectively. There
is also an outlet C. If all the taps are open together the tank is full in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
How much time is taken by C to empty the full tank?
Ans:23 (13/19) Minutes
32. Pipe A can fill the tank in 12 minutes and pipe B can empty it in 8 minutes. If 3/4th part of
the tank is already full and both the pipes are open together. In much time both the pipes
empty the tank?
Ans:18 Minutes
33.A pipe can fill a tank in 40 minutes. Due to the leakage in the bottom it is filled in 50
hours. If the tank is full, how much time will the leak take to empty it?
Ans:200 Minutes
34.P, Q and R are three pipes connected to a tank. P and Q together fill the tank in 4 hours. R
and Q together fill the tank in 6 hours. P and R together fill the tank in 5 hours. In how much
time will P, Q and R fill the tank together?
Ans:3(9/37) Hours
35. Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 25 minutes and 35 minutes respectively. But a third
pipe C can empty it in 10 minutes. The first two pipes are kept open for 5 minutes in the
beginning and then the third pipe is also opened. In what time is the cistern emptied?
Ans:10(10/11) Hours
36. A cistern can be filled by pipe A and B in 25 hours and 30 hours respectively. There is
also an outlet C which can empty it in 40 hours. If all the taps are open together. After 5
minutes pipe C must be turned off. In how much time the cistern is full?
Ans:10(15/44) Hours
37. A tank has a leak which would empty it in 16 hours. A tap is turned on which admits 12
liter a minute into the tank and it is now emptied in 24 hours. How many liters does the tank
hold?
Ans:34560 Liters
SITAMS
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38.Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 12 minutes and 16 minutes respectively. If both the
pipes open together after how much time should be B closed so, that the tank is full in 9
minutes?
Ans:4 Hours
39.Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 10 hours and 12 hours respectively. B is open for 2
hours in the beginning, and then B is closed. In how much time A fill the remaining tank?
Ans:8(1/3) Hours
40.Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 50 minutes and 60 minutes respectively. If both the
pipes open together for 10 minutes, then B is closed. In how much time A fill the remaining
tank?
Ans:38 Minutes
SITAMS
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25.A leak in the bottom of a tank can empty the full tank in 8 hours. An inlet pipe fills water
at the rate of 6 litres a minute. When the tank is full, the inlet is opened and due to the leak,
the tank is empty in 12 hours. How many litres does the cistern hold ?
A. 7580
B. 7960
C. 8290
D. 8640
Ans:
Work done by the inlet in 1 hour
Work done by the inlet in 1 min.
= (1/8 - 1/12)
= 1/24.
= (1/24 1/60)
= 1/1440.
SITAMS
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