The way I reasoned to the answer without using algebra
Since the Volume of a Cylinder = (Area of Circular Base) * (Height)
And
Cylinder X’s Circular Base = 5(pi), which is (1/2) Cylinder Y’s Circular Base of 10(pi)
This means, Y cylinder is 2 Times as Wide as X cylinder
This means that if both cylinders were completely empty:
To get IDENTICAL Water Heights for both cylinders,
for every 1 units of water we put in cylinder X ——->
we would have to put 2 units of water into cylinder Y(requires Twice as much water to get to the same water height as X because Y is Twice as wide)
Based on this proportional relationship, when transferring water from cylinder X to Cylinder Y———> every 2 units of water height we take from cylinder X will only fill up 1 unit of water height in cylinder Y
Now we need to determine at what height will both cylinders’ water heights be identical. We can use the above relationship to go through each answer choice, where each answer choice equals the Water Height of each cylinder, X and Y:
(A)2.5
This would lower cylinder X’s height 3.5 (from 6 to 2.5)
For each 1 unit of water taken from X’s height and put into Cylinder Y, we will only see a +(1/2) increase in T’s water height
This means 3.5 decrease in X’s Height———> put into Y will raise Y’s Water Height by only (3.5/2) = 1.75
Water Height of Y would = 2 + 1.75 = 3.75
Which is not equal to X’s 2.5 —— eliminate A
We can use the same logic for each answer
(B)3
X’s water height would drop 3 ———-> would result in (3/2) = 1.5 water height increase in Y
Y’s height = 2 + 1.5 = 3.5
Which is not equal to X’s height of 3
Eliminate B
Leave C for last
(D)4
We would be taking a water height of 2 out of X ———> added to Y, this would raise Y’s water height by +(2/2) = +1
Y’s height would = 3
X’s height would = 4 though
Eliminate D
(E)4.5
We would be removing 1.5 of water height from cylinder X ———> which would add (1.5 / 2) = .75 water height to Y
Y’s height would = 2.75
X’s height would = 4.5
Eliminate E
Answer has to be (C) 10/3
Just to be sure.
X’s water height now = 6 = 18/3
To lower it down to 10/3 ——-> take 8/3 water height out of cylinder X
and this would result in only (8/3)(1/2) = 8/6 water height added to Y or +(4/3)
Y’s water height would = (6/3) + (4/3) = 10/3
And
X’s water height would = 10/3
(C) both heights will be identical at 10/3
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