Since the time taken to fill the pool completely is given in minutes, convert the times taken by the individual taps to minutes.
0.4 hours = \(\frac{2}{5}\) hours = \(\frac{2}{5}\) * 60 = 24 minutes
\(\frac{8}{15}\) hours = \(\frac{8}{15}\) * 60 = 32 minutes
Let the capacity of the pool = LCM (24, 32) = 96 gallons
Therefore,
Rate at which Tap A fills the pool = \(\frac{96 }{ 24}\) = 4 gallons per minute
Rate at which Tap B fills the pool = \(\frac{96 }{ 32}\) = 3 gallons per minute
Let the time after which Tap B has to be turned off = x minutes
This means that both taps worked simultaneously for x minutes
Rate at which Tap A and B fill the pool when working simultaneously = 4 + 3 = 7 gallons per minute.
Since they worked simultaneously for x minutes, work done by them = 7x gallons
After Tap B was shut off, Tap A worked alone for (18 – x) minutes since the total time taken to fill the pool is 18 minutes
Therefore, 7x + 4 (18 – x) = 96
Solving the equation for x, we have x = 8
Tap B should be turned off after 8 minutes
The correct answer option is C.