Pipe A can fill a tank in 24 hours and pipe B in 32 hours. If both the pipes are opened in an empty tank at the same time, then the time taken to fill the tank is:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → \(13\displaystyle\frac{5}{7}\) hours
In one hour, pipe A fills \(\frac{1}{24}\) of the tank and pipe B fills \(\frac{1}{32}\). Working together, their rates add:
\( \displaystyle \frac{1}{24} + \frac{1}{32} = \frac{4}{96} + \frac{3}{96} = \frac{7}{96} \)
So the time taken to fill the tank is
\( \displaystyle \frac{96}{7} = 13\frac{5}{7} \text{ hours} \)