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gmatquant25
Pipe A can fill a tank in 3 hours. Pipe B can empty the same tank in 2 hours. If the tank is initially two thirds full then in how many hours will the tank be completely empty in if both the pipes are turned on simultaneously?
(A)2 hours
(B)3 hours
(C)4 hours
(D)5 hours

Lets say tank contains 6 liters
Pipe A works at \(\frac{6}{3}= 2\) liters every hour (added)=\(+2\)
Pibe B works ar \(\frac{6}{2}= 3\) liters every hour (subtracted)=\(-3\)

The tank is 2/3 full so contains 4 liters, and the pipes combined give us a \(-3+2=-1\) liter every hour.(minus one liter every hour)
So they would take \(4\) hours to empty it.
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Consider the tank to be 180 units.
Hence rate at which Pipe A fills the tank is 60 units(since it fills the tank in 3 hours)
Also, rate at which Pipe B empties the tank is 90 units(since it empties the tank in 2 hours)
It is given that the tank is 2/3rd's full or has 120 units of water in it.

We need to find the time to empty it completely given both the pipes are on.
Both the pipes being on, will reduce 30 units(+60 - 90) an hour
120 - 30(x) = 0
or x=4(Option C)
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gmatquant25
Pipe A can fill a tank in 3 hours. Pipe B can empty the same tank in 2 hours. If the tank is initially two thirds full then in how many hours will the tank be completely empty in if both the pipes are turned on simultaneously?

(A) 2 hours
(B) 3 hours
(C) 4 hours
(D) 5 hours
(E) 9 hours
Let the capacity of the tank be 6 units

So, Efficiency of Pipe A is + 2 units/hr
And , Efficiency of Pipe B is -3 units/hr

Combined Efficiency of both the pipes is -1 unit/ Hour

Quote:
If the tank is initially two thirds full then in how many hours will the tank be completely empty in if both the pipes are turned on simultaneously?

Capacity of water in the tank is 2/3*6 = 4 units

So, Time required to empty it will be 4/1 = 4 Hours, Answer must be (C)
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My solution:

x = full capacity of tank

A fills tank (x/3h) and B empties tank at (x/2h)

Net Outflow: (x/3h) - (x/2h) = - (1/6)*x / h

This means, that 1/6 of the full tank is emptied per hour, so the full tank would be empty in 6 hours. Since the tank now is only 2/3 full, it would only take 6 * (2/3) hours = 4 h to empty the tank.

Correct answer: C
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