Last visit was: 24 Apr 2026, 14:25 It is currently 24 Apr 2026, 14:25
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,818
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,873
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,818
Kudos: 811,067
 [12]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
10
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
atulayakumar
Joined: 06 Oct 2011
Last visit: 07 Mar 2021
Posts: 1
Own Kudos:
2
 [2]
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 1
Kudos: 2
 [2]
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
LipiSinha
Joined: 19 Jan 2016
Last visit: 13 Feb 2026
Posts: 66
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 57
Location: India
Schools: ISB '20
GMAT 1: 650 Q44 V37
GPA: 3.5
Schools: ISB '20
GMAT 1: 650 Q44 V37
Posts: 66
Kudos: 94
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,818
Own Kudos:
811,067
 [2]
Given Kudos: 105,873
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,818
Kudos: 811,067
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Hose A can fill a pool in 3 days. Hose B can fill the same pool in 4 days. How long will it take both hoses working together to fill the pool if hose A stops when the pool is half full?


(A) \(\frac{5}{7}\) days

(B) \(1 \frac{5}{7}\) days

(C) 2 days

(D) \(2 \frac{6}{7}\) days

(E) 3 days

Veritas Prep Official Explanation



Convert times to rates:

\(R_A = \frac{1}{3}\);

\(R_B = \frac{1}{4}\);

\(R_{COMBINED} = \frac{1}{3} +\frac{1}{4} = \frac{7}{12}\)

Now you must first calculate how long it takes the two hoses together to fill half of the pool using the Work = Rate x Time formula:


\(\frac{1}{2} = \frac{7}{12} * Time\)

\(Time = \frac{1}{2} (\frac{12}{7}) = \frac{6}{7}\) day to fill the first half of the pool

Because conditions change after half of the pool is filled, you should “reset” the equation. For the second half of the pool, you can just use logic. Hose B works alone to fill the second half of the pool, and it takes hose B 4 days to fill an entire pool. Therefore it will take hose B 2 days to fill the second half of the pool. Adding 2 days to the \(\frac{6}{7}\) day to fill the first half of the pool, you see that it will take \(2 \frac{6}{7}\) days to fill the pool. The correct answer choice is D.
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,063
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,063
Kudos: 20,001
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hose A can fill a pool in 3 days. Hose B can fill the same pool in 4 days. How long will it take both hoses working together to fill the pool if hose A stops when the pool is half full?

Hose A can fill a pool in 3 days: 1 day: \(\frac{1}{3}\) work
Hose B can fill a pool in 4 days: 1 day: \(\frac{1}{4}\) work

Together: \(\frac{1}{3}\) + \(\frac{1}{4}\) = \(\frac{7}{12}\) work

Together days: \(\frac{12}{7}\)

A and B work till half-fill: \(\frac{12}{7}\) * \(\frac{1}{2}\) = \(\frac{12}{14}\) or \(\frac{6}{7}\) days

Rest half fill was done by B at the rate of \(\frac{1}{4}\)

=> \(\frac{1}{2}\) work = \(\frac{1}{4}\) work

=> \(\frac{4}{2}\) = 2 days

Total days: \(\frac{6}{7}\) + 2 = \(\frac{20}{7}\) days

Answer D
User avatar
Paras96
Joined: 11 Sep 2022
Last visit: 30 Dec 2023
Posts: 456
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
Location: India
Paras: Bhawsar
GMAT 1: 590 Q47 V24
GMAT 2: 580 Q49 V21
GMAT 3: 700 Q49 V35
GPA: 3.2
WE:Project Management (Other)
GMAT 3: 700 Q49 V35
Posts: 456
Kudos: 337
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
To solve this problem, we can first calculate the rates at which each hose can fill the pool, and then determine how long it takes them to fill half of the pool together when working simultaneously.

Hose A can fill the pool in 3 days, so its rate is 1 pool per 3 days, which we can write as 1/3 pools per day.

Hose B can fill the pool in 4 days, so its rate is 1 pool per 4 days, which we can write as 1/4 pools per day.

Now, when both hoses A and B are working together, their rates add up:

Rate of A + Rate of B = (1/3) + (1/4)

To add these fractions, we need a common denominator, which is 12. So, we rewrite the fractions with a common denominator:

(4/12) + (3/12) = 7/12 pools per day

Now, we know that together, hoses A and B can fill 7/12 of the pool in one day. To fill half of the pool, they need to fill 1/2 of it. We can set up an equation to find out how many days it will take:

(7/12) * D = 1/2

Where D is the number of days it takes to fill half of the pool. Now, solve for D:

D = (1/2) / (7/12)

To divide by a fraction, you can multiply by its reciprocal:

D = (1/2) * (12/7)

D = 6/7 days

So, it will take hoses A and B approximately 2 6/7 days to fill half of the pool when working together.

Hence D
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,974
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,974
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109818 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts