SOLUTION: please help with this word problem I am having trouble understanding where to start translating numbers into ratios 1 pipe can fill a large tank in 5 hours and a smaller pipe c

Question 489454: please help with this word problem I am having trouble understanding where to start translating numbers into ratios
1 pipe can fill a large tank in 5 hours and a smaller pipe can fill the same tank in 3 hours. How long will it take both pipes to fill the tank if they are turned on at the same time?
60 x 5 = 300 mins
60 x 3 = 180 mins
300 - 180 = 120
120/60 = 2
take 2 hours to fill

Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1 pipe can fill a large tank in 5 hours and a smaller pipe can fill the same tank in 3 hours. How long will it take both pipes to fill the tank if they are turned on at the same time?
--
1st pipe rate = 1/5 job/hr
---
Smaller pipe rate = 1/3 job/hr
----
Together pipe rate = 1/x job/hr
=====================================
Equation:
rate + rate = together rate
1/5 + 1/3 = 1/x
5x + 3x = 15
8x = 15
x = 15/8 hrs = 1 hr 52.5 minutes) (time to do the job together)
================
Cheers,
Stan H.

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