Hours Needed By Each Tap


What was the question? 

Let x be hours required for bigger tap then smaller needs x + 5
hours.

In 1 hour bigger fills 1/x & smaller fills 1/(x+5) part of the tank. Together both take 6 hours to completely fill the tank. So,

1/x + 1/(x+5) = 1/6

6(x + 5 + x) = x^2 + 5x

x^2 - 7x - 30 = 0

(x-10) (x+3) = 0


x + 3 = 0 gives x = -3 which is not possible as x represents hours.

So x - 10 = 0 gives x = 10.

Hence for a bigger tap 10 hours & for smaller tap 10 + 5 = 15 hours required to fill up the tank!


Follow me on Blogarama