Find out the time for each pipe separately?

Question

To fill a swimming pool 2 pipes are used . If the pipe of the larger diameter used for 4 hours and pipe of smaller diameter for 9 hours then only half of the pool is filled.Find how long it would take for each pipe to fill the pool separately if the pipe of smaller diameter takes 10 hours more than the larger diameter to fill the pool?

Answer 1

Hi Anubhab!

You can probably guess that I know how to do this problem, and I don't want to spoil your fun or opportunity to learn by doing it for you.  I just want to give you enough help that you can get yourself unstuck!

 

Suppose we let L = the flow rate of the larger diameter pipe, and S = the flow rate of the smaller diameter pipe.

 

What equation could we write to capture the information in the second sentence? Is it difficult?

What if we decide what the units of "flow rate" should be?  Do you suppose pools per hour or hours per pool would be better?

 

What equation could we write based on the last sentence?  Make sure that every term in each equation you write has identical units.  Tell me where you get stuck.  (We can always arrange to meet for a session if you prefer to talk with me about it!)