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Let x be the no. of pipes that fill the tank. Hence, no. of pipes that empty the tank will be (8-x).
Rate of pipes that fill is 1/8 and rate of pipes that empty the tank is 1/6.

We are given the information that the tank gets emptied in 6 hrs. Rate of tank emptying per hour is 1/6.
Let's form an equation from the above information.

\(1/6*(8-x)- 1/8*(x) = 1/6\)
\(8/6 - x/6 - x/8 = 1/6\)
\(x/6 - x/8 = 1/6 - 8/6\)
\(-14x/48 = -7/6\)
\(-7x/24 = -7/6\)

Solving for x gives, x =4.

Hence, no. of pipes that fill the tank is 4
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given
total pipes = 8
rate of inlet = 1/8
rate of outlet = 1/6
let total volume of tank be 24 ltrs
so rate of filling ; 24/8 ; 3 ltrs/hr and rate of draining ; 24/6 ; 4 ltrs/hr
work done ; rate * time
work = 24
time of drain is 6 hrs
24= (3*a-(4*(8-a)) ) *6
solve for a = 4
IMO B

DisciplinedPrep
A water tank is fitted with 8 pipes, some of these 8 pipes fill the tank and others empty the tank. Each of the pipes that fills the tank fills it in 8 hours, while each of the pipes that empties the tank empties it in 6 hours. If all the 8 pipes are kept open when the water tank is full, it takes 6 hours to drain the tank. How many of these 8 pipes fill the tank?

1. 2 pipes
2. 4 pipes
3. 5 pipes
4. 6 pipes
5. 8 pipes
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DisciplinedPrep
A water tank is fitted with 8 pipes, some of these 8 pipes fill the tank and others empty the tank. Each of the pipes that fills the tank fills it in 8 hours, while each of the pipes that empties the tank empties it in 6 hours. If all the 8 pipes are kept open when the water tank is full, it takes 6 hours to drain the tank. How many of these 8 pipes fill the tank?

1. 2 pipes
2. 4 pipes
3. 5 pipes
4. 6 pipes
5. 8 pipes

We can let the number of filling pipes be n, and thus the number of emptying pipes = 8 - n. Since the rate of each filling pipe is ⅛ and that of each emptying pipe is -⅙ and the combined rate of all pipes is -⅙, we can create the equation:

n x ⅛ + (8 - n) x -⅙ = -⅙

Multiplying by 24, we have:

3n - 4(8 - n) = -4

3n - 32 + 4n = -4

7n = 28

n = 4

Answer: B/2
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DisciplinedPrep
A water tank is fitted with 8 pipes, some of these 8 pipes fill the tank and others empty the tank. Each of the pipes that fills the tank fills it in 8 hours, while each of the pipes that empties the tank empties it in 6 hours. If all the 8 pipes are kept open when the water tank is full, it takes 6 hours to drain the tank. How many of these 8 pipes fill the tank?

1. 2 pipes
2. 4 pipes
3. 5 pipes
4. 6 pipes
5. 8 pipes

rate*time=distance

pipes: x+y=8… y=8-x

in rate: 1/8
out rate: 1/6

\(\frac{1}{x(1/8)-y(1/6)}=-6…\frac{1}{x/8-(8-x/6)}=-6…\frac{1}{(6x-64+8x)/48}=-6…48=384-84x…x,y=4\)

Answer (B)
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ScottTargetTestPrep sir how did you arrive at the combined rate of -1/6?
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rocky620
ScottTargetTestPrep sir how did you arrive at the combined rate of -1/6?

From the sentence "If all the 8 pipes are kept open when the water tank is full, it takes 6 hours to drain the tank.", we understand that when all the pipes are combined, 1/6 of the tank is emptied in one hour. Since the tank is being emptied instead of being filled, the combined rate will be negative. That's how we find the combined rate of -1/6.
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ScottTargetTestPrep got it sir, thanks.
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Assume capacity of tank be LCM of 6 and 8 = 24L
Now,
- Per hour rate at inlet of tank = 24/8 = 3L
- Per hour rate at outlet of tank = 24/6 = 4L

if both pipes are open together, -1L is per hour decrease in quantity of tank. but given is that tank will get emptied in 6 hours -- means per hour rate should be -4L.

From above we can deduce that if 4 Inlet and 4 outlet pipes are open - tank will get emptied in 6 hours.

Answer - Option B!
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