Pipes C and D can fill a tank of 3,000 litres in 6 hours and 4 hours, respectively. Working together, how many hours will they take to fill a 6,000-litre tank?
- AOption (a)
3.5 hours
- BOption (b)
4.8 hours
- COption (c)
6 hours
- DOption (d)
4.44 hours
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Correct answer
4.8 hours
Why this answer is correct
Shortcut Trick
Time taken by Pipe C and Pipe D to fill 3,000 L together = (6 × 4) ÷ (6 + 4) = 2.4 hr.
Since the new tank capacity (6,000 L) is exactly double the initial capacity (3,000 L), the time taken will also be doubled.
Required time = 2.4 × 2 = 4.8 hr.
∴ The correct answer is 4.8 hr.
Alternate Method
Given:
Capacity of initial tank = 3,000 L
Time for Pipe C = 6 hr | Time for Pipe D = 4 hr
Capacity of new tank = 6,000 L
Calculations:
⇒ Efficiency (Rate) of Pipe C = 3,000 ÷ 6 = 500 L/hr
⇒ Efficiency (Rate) of Pipe D = 3,000 ÷ 4 = 750 L/hr
⇒ Combined Efficiency of (C + D) = 500 + 750 = 1,250 L/hr
⇒ Time taken to fill 6,000 L tank = Total Capacity ÷ Combined Efficiency
⇒ Required Time = 6,000 ÷ 1,250
⇒ Required Time = 4.8 hr
∴ The correct answer is 4.8 hr.
Additional Information
Efficiency and Time Relationship
Efficiency is inversely proportional to time for a constant volume of work. Formula: Work = Efficiency × Time.
Pipes and Cisterns Rule
If an inlet pipe fills in x hours and an outlet pipe empties in y hours, the net work in 1 hour = (1/x) − (1/y).
Direct Proportion in Work
If efficiency remains constant, the time required is directly proportional to the amount of work (tank capacity). If capacity doubles, time doubles.