Multiple choice

Pipe P alone can fill up a cistern in 15 hours. Pipe Q alone can fill the same cistern in 20 hours. The pipes are simultaneously opened and it is found that due to a leakage at the bottom of the cistern, it takes 60/91 hours extra for the cistern to be completely filled. Calculate the time taken by the leak to empty the completely filled up cistern if both the pipes are closed.

  1. 100 hours

  2. 110 hours

  3. 120 hours

  4. 140 hours

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Pipe P fills in 15 hours, so rate = 1/15 per hour. Pipe Q fills in 20 hours, so rate = 1/20 per hour. Combined rate of P+Q = 1/15 + 1/20 = 7/60 per hour. Normal time to fill = 60/7 hours. With leak, time = 60/7 + 60/91 = (60×13)/91 = 780/91 hours. Actual fill rate = 91/780 per hour. Leak rate = (7/60) - (91/780) = (91-91)/780 = 0. Wait, let me recalculate: Combined rate of P+Q = 7/60. With leak, effective rate = 1/(60/7 + 60/91) = 1/((60×13 + 60)/91) = 91/(60×14) = 91/840. Leak rate = 7/60 - 91/840 = 98/840 - 91/840 = 7/840 = 1/120. So leak empties full tank in 120 hours. Option C is correct.