A swimming pool has three pumps, A, B and C. Working

Question

A swimming pool has three pumps, A, B and C. Working together at their constant rates, A and B can drain the swimming pool in 10 hours, whereas A and C can drain the pool in 12 hours. How long does it take A to drain the pool?

(1) B and C, working together, can drain the pool in 15 hours.
(2) The time it would take 3 B's to drain the pool is equal to the time it would take 4 C's to do so.

Fig · Answer

In statment (1), is it A C working together or B C ?

kidderek · Answer

Answer is D

I will explain later. B gets tricky.

kidderek · Answer

Hmmm, I might be over thinking, but I am going to retract the D answer and get back to it.

haas_mba07 · Answer

Given
Ra = 1/Ta
Rb = 1/Tb
Rc = 1/Tc

Where Ta, Tb & Tc are times to drain the pool by themselves.

Given 
Ra + Rb = 1/10 .... (1)

Rb + Rc = 1/12 ... (2)

=> Rb -Rc = 1/60 .... (3)

S1: 
Rb + Rc = 1/15

From (3) and above eqn we can find Rb.

From Rb and (1) we can find Ra. 
Sufficient.

S2: 
3Rb = 4Rc 

3Rb - 4Rc = 0 

From (2) multiplying by 4: 

4Rb +4Rc = 1/3
3Rb -4Rc = 0

Can solve for Rb... and from (1) can solve for Ra.

Sufficient.

Answer: D

anandsebastin · Answer

Arrived at D, but didn't work it out as detailed as Haas_mba07. 
Statement 1: Gives you B+C. Imagine 2As, 1 B and 1 C   draining the tank and two more pumps (B+C) pouring in water, and you effectively negate B and C and can figure out how long it takes A to drain the tank. So, sufficient. 
Statement 2: Gives you B in terms of C or vice versa. Substitute appropriately to find out A. 

Wow! Typing this out took much longer than figuring it out in my head. Hope it makes sense to most people at least.

amorica · Answer

D..for this reason...

1 and 2 result in 3 equations w/ 3 distinct variables.

GmatInstinct · Answer

Hass_Mba or Anyone,

Pardon my lack of knowledge ,but how did u get to #3 Higlighted below

--Snippet from solution earlier 
Given 
Ra = 1/Ta 
Rb = 1/Tb 
Rc = 1/Tc 

Where Ta, Tb & Tc are times to drain the pool by themselves. 

Given 
Ra + Rb = 1/10 .... (1) 

Rb + Rc = 1/12 ... (2) 

 => Rb -Rc = 1/60 .... (3)  

could u pls explain ?
thanks

A swimming pool has three pumps, A, B and C. Working

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