Pipes A and B fill a tank in 6 and 8 hours and are opened alternately for one hour each, A first. A leak that empties the full tank in 24 hours runs all the time. How long does the empty tank take to fill?

Question

Accepted Answer

9.5 h. In 24ths: A hour nets 4-1=3, B hour 3-1=2; a 2-hour cycle gives 5. After 8 h: 20; A's hour: 23; B needs 1 of 2 → 0.5 h. Total 9.5 h. (6.75 h ignores the leak.)

Pipes A and B fill a tank in 6 and 8 hours and are opened alternately for one hour each, A first. A leak that empties the full tank in 24 hours runs all the time. How long does the empty tank take to fill?

Step-by-Step Solution

Master this topic in 30 minutes a day.

More Pipes & Cisterns practice