Multiple choice

A pipe X can fill a cistern in 18 min and another pipe can empty it in 24 min. If they opened alternatively for one minute each and pipe X open first. So after how much time the cistern will be completely filled.

  1. 68 min

  2. 69 min

  3. 144 min

  4. 137 min

  5. None of these

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

X fills 1/18 per min, Y empties 1/24 per min. Every 2 minutes: X fills 1/18, Y empties 1/24, net gain = 1/18 - 1/24 = 1/72. After 68 cycles (136 min): filled = 68/72 = 17/18. Minute 137: X adds 1/18, total = 18/18 = 1 (full). Total time = 137 minutes.