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Bunuel
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 26 Sep 2018, 05:13
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first tap was opened initially for x minutes after which the second tap was opened. If it took a total of 15 minutes for the tank to be filled, what is the value of x?

(A) 5.0
(B) 7.5
(C) 9.0
(D) 10.0
(E) 12.5
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B
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 28 Sep 2018, 10:31
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Ratio A=1/20
Ratio B= 1/30
Combined ratio= 1/20+1/30=1/12

Now, since we know that tap A was opened before B, we can create the function:

1/20*x + 1/12*(15-x)=1

Substitute the values and you'll find that the correct answer is B.
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 29 Sep 2018, 03:28
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Bunuel
Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first tap was opened initially for x minutes after which the second tap was opened. If it took a total of 15 minutes for the tank to be filled, what is the value of x?

(A) 5.0
(B) 7.5
(C) 9.0
(D) 10.0
(E) 12.5
Show more


Let, Total Work Unit = 60
Work done by First tap in 20 minutes = 60 units
Work done by First tap in 1 minutes = 60/20 units = 3 units
Work done by First tap in 15 minutes = 3*15 = 45 units

Work done by Second tap in 30 minutes = 60 units
Work done by Second tap in 1 minutes = 60/30 units = 2 units
Work done by Second tap in 15-x minutes = 2(15-x) = 30-2x units

Total Work done by both taps in 15 mins = 45 +30-2x = 60 Units
i.e. x = 7.5 Minutes

Answer: Option B
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 29 Sep 2018, 08:16
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Bunuel
Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first tap was opened initially for x minutes after which the second tap was opened. If it took a total of 15 minutes for the tank to be filled, what is the value of x?

(A) 5.0
(B) 7.5
(C) 9.0
(D) 10.0
(E) 12.5


Let, Total Work Unit = 60
Work done by First tap in 20 minutes = 60 units
Work done by First tap in 1 minutes = 60/20 units = 3 units
Work done by First tap in 15 minutes = 3*15 = 45 units

Work done by Second tap in 30 minutes = 60 units
Work done by Second tap in 1 minutes = 60/30 units = 2 units
Work done by Second tap in 15-x minutes = 2(15-x) = 30-2x units

Total Work done by both taps in 15 mins = 45 +30-2x = 60 Units
i.e. x = 7.5 Minutes

Answer: Option B
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hey GMATinsight
Why did you take 60 as total work done ? i guess its LCM of 20 and 30, but then let me ask you a question isnt in denominator given time 1/20 where 1 is work and 20 is time
thank you
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 29 Sep 2018, 14:01
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Italiandrummer97
Ratio A=1/20
Ratio B= 1/30
Combined ratio= 1/20+1/30=1/12

Now, since we know that tap A was opened before B, we can create the function:

1/20*x + 1/12*(15-x)=1

Substitute the values and you'll find that the correct answer is B.
Show more

bonjurno :) Italiandrummer97 , isnt tthere a mistake in your equation ? :-)

why didnt you write equation like this :? 1/20*x + 1/30*(15-x)=1/12

from which source did you learn work and rate problems :)
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 29 Sep 2018, 22:31
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Italiandrummer97
Ratio A=1/20
Ratio B= 1/30
Combined ratio= 1/20+1/30=1/12

Now, since we know that tap A was opened before B, we can create the function:

1/20*x + 1/12*(15-x)=1

Substitute the values and you'll find that the correct answer is B.

bonjurno :) , isnt tthere a mistake in your equation ? :-)

why didnt you write equation like this :? 1/20*x + 1/30*(15-x)=1/12

from which source did you learn work and rate problems :)
Show more

Hey :) No, I don't think so: the reasoning behind the equation is this:

1)\(1/20x\) Is the ratio of A * time it is activated
2)\(1/12*(15-x)\) Is the ratio after you open tap B, which working together with tap A gives a combined ratio of 1/12, *time they are activated together(i.e. total time - x = 15-x).
3)Equate their sum to 1, which is the cistern we have to fill.

Then solve the equation and the result will be \(15/2\), hence the correct answer is B.

I learned to create models in high school and university, I just applied this knowledge to this work and rate problem :) I'm sure there are other ways, but that's the one that came up in my mind at the moment.

If you need any further clarification just quote me and I'll be happy to help :)
And please, give kudos if you found this solution helpful
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 29 Sep 2018, 23:13
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dave13
GMATinsight
Bunuel
Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first tap was opened initially for x minutes after which the second tap was opened. If it took a total of 15 minutes for the tank to be filled, what is the value of x?

(A) 5.0
(B) 7.5
(C) 9.0
(D) 10.0
(E) 12.5


Let, Total Work Unit = 60
Work done by First tap in 20 minutes = 60 units
Work done by First tap in 1 minutes = 60/20 units = 3 units
Work done by First tap in 15 minutes = 3*15 = 45 units

Work done by Second tap in 30 minutes = 60 units
Work done by Second tap in 1 minutes = 60/30 units = 2 units
Work done by Second tap in 15-x minutes = 2(15-x) = 30-2x units

Total Work done by both taps in 15 mins = 45 +30-2x = 60 Units
i.e. x = 7.5 Minutes

Answer: Option B


hey GMATinsight
Why did you take 60 as total work done ? i guess its LCM of 20 and 30, but then let me ask you a question isnt in denominator given time 1/20 where 1 is work and 20 is time
thank you
Show more

dave13
This method requires us to assume the total work unit.

In order to keep work units done by workers in unit time (i.e. Rate) as Integer, we assume the total work unit a number which is common multiple of times i.ee. common multiple of 15 and 20 in this case. Hence one could have chosen 60 or 120 or 180 as the total work units.

I hope this helps!!! :)
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 30 Sep 2018, 02:09
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Italiandrummer97
dave13
Italiandrummer97
Ratio A=1/20
Ratio B= 1/30
Combined ratio= 1/20+1/30=1/12

Now, since we know that tap A was opened before B, we can create the function:

1/20*x + 1/12*(15-x)=1

Substitute the values and you'll find that the correct answer is B.

bonjurno :) , isnt tthere a mistake in your equation ? :-)

why didnt you write equation like this :? 1/20*x + 1/30*(15-x)=1/12

from which source did you learn work and rate problems :)

Hey :) No, I don't think so: the reasoning behind the equation is this:

1)\(1/20x\) Is the ratio of A * time it is activated
2)\(1/12*(15-x)\) Is the ratio after you open tap B, which working together with tap A gives a combined ratio of 1/12, *time they are activated together(i.e. total time - x = 15-x).
3)Equate their sum to 1, which is the cistern we have to fill.

Then solve the equation and the result will be \(15/2\), hence the correct answer is B.

I learned to create models in high school and university, I just applied this knowledge to this work and rate problem :) I'm sure there are other ways, but that's the one that came up in my mind at the moment.

If you need any further clarification just quote me and I'll be happy to help :)
And please, give kudos if you found this solution helpful
Show more


hey Italiandrummer97

thank you ! :) got it now! :-D happy international drumming day! :-D

\(\frac{x}{20} +\frac{15-x}{12} = 1\)

\((60)(\frac{x}{20} +\frac{15-x}{12}) = 1(60)\)

\(3x+5(15-x) =60\)

\(3x+75-5x=60\)

\(15=2x\)

\(x = 7.5\)
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 30 Sep 2018, 02:17
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This method requires us to assume the total work unit.

In order to keep work units done by workers in unit time (i.e. Rate) as Integer, we assume the total work unit a number which is common multiple of times i.ee. common multiple of 15 and 20 in this case. Hence one could have chosen 60 or 120 or 180 as the total work units.

I hope this helps!!! :)
Show more

GMATinsight , thank you ! :) today i know TWO :cool: methods and yesterday i didnt know any of the methods :lol:
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 30 Sep 2018, 07:12
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Solution



Given:

    • Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes.
    • First tap was opened initially for x minutes.
    • After first x minutes, both the taps were open.

To find:
    • The value of x

Approach and Working out:

Let us take the capacity of cistern= LCM(20, 30)=60 litres.

Hence, Tap A fills the 3 litres in 1 min
    • And, Tap B fills the 2 litres in 1 min.


Thus, for first x min, the capacity of cistern filled = 3x
After, x min, both the taps were open for (15-x) min.
    • Therefore, the amount filled by both the taps=5*(15-x)= 75-5x

Now, the cistern got filled.
    • Hence, 3x+75-5x= 60
    • 2x= 15
    • x= 7.5 min

Answer: B
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 08 Oct 2018, 02:03
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Hi All,

This is my approach that I tend to find to be the quickest:

RateA x 20mins = 1
Ra = 1/20

RateB x 30mins = 1
Rb = 1/30

In 15 mins, Tap A fills the cistern to 3/4 capacity:
1/20 x 15 mins = 3/4
But the problem says that in 15 mins cistern will be completely full, not 3/4 full. Hence Tap B must have been turned on at some time.

1/30 x T = 1/4 (amount left to be filled)
T = 1/4 x 30/1
T = 30/4 = 7 and 1/2 = 7.5

Ans: B
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Two taps can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes. The first ta 23 Dec 2024, 09:46
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