Two water pumps, working simultaneously at their respective constant rates, took exactly four hours to fill a certain swimming pool. If the constant rate of one pump was 1.5 times the constant rate of the other, how many hours would it have taken the faster pump to fill the pool if it had worked alone at it's constant rate?

A. 5
B. 16/3
C. 11/2
D. 6
E. 20/3

Let me elaborate the math so that it's absolutely clear:

Let's calculate the combined rate first:

Rate x Time = Work
Rate x 4 = 1 [It takes 4 hours for both the pumps to fill up the pool]
Rate = 1/4 [So, 1/4 is the rate for the pumps working together]

Now, the let's assume the rate for the slower pump is x ; so the rate for the faster pump will be 1.5x

According to our previous calculations,
Slower pump + faster pump = 1/4
x + 1.5x = 1/4
2.5x = 1/4
x = 1/10 [slower pump's rate]

so, the faster pump's rate is 1/10 x 1.5 = 3/20

Now let's calculate the time it will take for the faster pump

Rate x Time = Work
3/20 x Time = 1
Time = 1 x 20/3 = 20/3 the answer

In my solution x is the rate in your solution x is the time.

In your solution x is the time of the faster pump and 1.5x is the time of the slower pump (faster pump needs less time).

Hope it's clear.
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I did,
A+B = 4
A = 1.5B

4-B = 1.5B => B = 8/5

Why is this wrong?

fast pump takes x hour
Slow pump takes 1.5x hour

so

1/x+1/1.5x = 1/4

> (1.5+1)/1.5x = 1/4
> 2.5/1.5x = 1/4
> 1.5 x = 10
>x = 10/1.5
>x = 20/3


Somebody confirm whether this is a right approach to do this type of problem or not. Thanks

How would you solve this problem by saying the faster pump 1.5x and slower x. I cant seem to figure that out.

We are given that the rate of 1 pump is 1.5 times faster than the rate of the other pump. Since 1 pool is being filled and rate = work/time, the rate of the faster pump is 1/x, in which x = the time it takes for the faster pump to fill the pool, and the rate of the slower pump = 1/(1.5x) = 1/(3x/2) = 2/3x.

Since when the pumps work together they take 4 hours to fill 1 pool, we can create the following equation:

work of faster pump + work of slower pump = 1

(1/x)4 + (2/3x)4 = 1

4/x + 8/3x = 1

Multiplying the entire equation by 3x, we have:

12 + 8 = 3x

20 = 3x

20/3 = x

Answer: E
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daviddaviddavid , your approach is almost identical to Salvetor's. You just used slightly different algebra.

I did the algebra your way one time and a second time using a fusion of your and Salvetor's approach.

He added. You subtracted. You used a different LCM or this shortcut: \(\frac{a}{b} + \frac{c}{d} = \frac{(da + bc)}{bd}\). So I fused by adding, as Salvetor did, and by using your LCM. Both your method and fusion method gave me the correct answer.

I think you should swagger a bit in your head. You took the way four people here asked about, which also seems to me to be the most direct way.

Here's the math done in a way that fuses Salvetor's method and yours:

\(\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{1.5x} = \frac{1}{4}\)

\(\frac{(1.5x + x)}{1.5x^2} = \frac{1}{4}\)

\(4 (1.5x + x) = 1.5 x^2\)

\(4 (2.5x) = 1.5 x^2\)

\(10 x = 1.5 x^2\), divide by x (we're allowed b/c we know x is not 0):

\(10 = 1.5x\)
Get rid of the decimal in the denominator. Multiply by sides by 10 →
\(100=15x\)
\(x=\frac{100}{15}=\frac{20}{3}\)

Or convert 1.5 in the denominator to the fraction \(\frac{3}{2}\)
Thus:
\(x = \frac{10}{1.5}=\frac{10}{\frac{3}{2}}=\)

\((10*\frac{2}{3})=\frac{20}{3}\)

Decimals in denominators look strange to me, too. Make a little rule: if decimal in denominator isn't in answer choices, either multiply the fraction by 10/10 or 100/100 etc., or convert the decimal to a fraction.

You just got stuck on the part where multiplying your answer by 2 would match one of the choices. Very frustrating. And common. Not to worry. :wink:

Hope it helps.
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I'm having trouble seeing how you got x= 3/20 from x+2x = 1/4. Do you mind showing step by step? thank you!!

Hi All,

This is an example of a Work Formula question. Any time you have two entities (people, machines, water pumps, etc.) working on a job together, you can use the following formula:

(AB)/(A+B) = Total time to do the job together

Here, we're told that the total time = 4 hours and that one machine's rate is 1.5 times the other machine's rate…

If B = 1.5A then we have…

(A)(1.5A)/(A + 1.5A) = 4

1.5(A^2)/2.5A = 4

(3/2)(A^2) = 10A

A^2 = 20A/3

A = 20/3 hours to fill the pool alone

Final Answer:

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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