Problema Solution
Two pipes can be used to fill a pool. Working together, the two pipes can fill the pool in 4 hours. The larger pipe can fill the pool in 2 hours less time than the smaller pipe can alone. Find the time to the nearest tenth of an hour it takes for the smaller pipe working alone to fill the pool.
Answer provided by our tutors
the two pipes can fill the pool in 4 hours thus their together rate is 1/4 pool per hour
let x = the time the smaller pipe needs to fill the pool alone thus it's rate is 1/x pool per hour, and x>0
x - 2 is the time the larger pipe needs to fill the pool alone thus it's rate is 1/(x - 2) pool per hour, and x - 2>0 that is x>2
now we have
1/x + 1/(x - 2) = 1/4
by solving we find:
x = 9.1 hr
click here to see the step by step solution of the equation:
the smaller pipe needs 9.1 hours to fill the pool alone.