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1st pump, 1/2 tank -> 3 hours, full -> 6 hours. This implies rate of 1/6 tank/hr
2nd pump, 1/2 tank -> 3.5 hours, full -> 7 hours. This implies rate of 1/7 tank/hr

Combined rate 1/6 + 1/7 = 13/42
For full tank -> 1/(13/42) = 42/13 = 3 3/13 -> D
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One water pump can fill half of a certain empty tank in 3 hours. Another pump can fill half of the same tank in \(3\frac{1}{2}\) hours. Working together, how long will it take these two pumps to fill the entire tank?

(A) \(1\frac{7}{13}\)

(B) \(1\frac{5}{8}\)

(C) \(3\frac{1}{4}\)

(D) \(3\frac{3}{13}\)

(E) \(3\frac{1}{2}\)


1/A = .5/3


1/B = .5/ 3.5

1/A+1/B = .5/3+.5/3.5 = 1/6+1/7 = 13/42

so rate is 13/42
Work =1
Time = 1/ (13/42) = 42/13
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Hi All,

This question is an example of a "Work Formula" question; since it involves just two entities (in this case, water pumps), we can us the Work Formula to quickly get to the correct answer.

We're told that 2 different water pumps can fill HALF of a tank in 3 hours and 3.5 hours, respectively. That means that the two pumps could fill the ENTIRE tank in 6 hours and 7 hours, respectively.

Work = (A)(B)/(A+B)

A = 6 hours
B = 7 hours

(6)(7)/(6+7) = 42/13 = 3 3/13 hours to fill the entire tank when working together.

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1) First we need to find the rates of each pump individually: \(r*t=w, r1*3=1/2, r1=1/2*1/3=1/6; r2*7/2=1/2, r2=1/2*2/7=1/7\).
2) Then we need to combine the two rates, since the pumps are working simultaneously: \(1/6+1/7=13/42\)
3) Now we can find the time it takes the two of them to fill the tank: \(13/42*T=1\); \(T=42/13=3 \frac{3}{13}\)
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One water pump can fill half of a certain empty tank in 3 hours. Another pump can fill half of the same tank in \(3\frac{1}{2}\) hours. Working together, how long will it take these two pumps to fill the entire tank?

(A) \(1\frac{7}{13}\)

(B) \(1\frac{5}{8}\)

(C) \(3\frac{1}{4}\)

(D) \(3\frac{3}{13}\)

(E) \(3\frac{1}{2}\)

We are given that a water pump can fill half of a certain tank in 3 hours; thus, the rate of the pump is (1/2)/3 = 1/6. We are given that another pump can fill 1/2 of the same tank in 3½, or 7/2, hours. Thus, the rate of the second pump is (1/2)/(7/2) = 2/14 = 1/7. If we let t = the time it takes the two pumps working together to fill the entire tank, and if we let 1 equal the work (i.e., filling the entire tank) needed to be completed, we can create the following equation and determine t:

(1/6)t + (1/7)t = 1

Multiplying the entire equation by 42, we have:

7t + 6t = 42

13t = 42

t = 42/13 = 3 3/13

Answer: D
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36mba
One water pump can fill half of a certain empty tank in 3 hours. Another pump can fill half of the same tank in \(3\frac{1}{2}\) hours. Working together, how long will it take these two pumps to fill the entire tank?

(A) \(1\frac{7}{13}\)

(B) \(1\frac{5}{8}\)

(C) \(3\frac{1}{4}\)

(D) \(3\frac{3}{13}\)

(E) \(3\frac{1}{2}\)

Answer: Option D

Please check the video for the step-by-step solution.

GMATinsight's Solution

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One water pump takes time to fill complete tank = 3*2 = 6
Rate for first pump = 1/6
Other water pump takes time to fill complete tank = 3.5*2 = 7
Rate for second pump = 1/7

Combined rate = \(\frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{7} = \frac{13}{42}\)
Time to do entire work \(= \frac{42}{13} = 3\frac{3}{13}\)

Hence, OA is (D).
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