document.write( "Question 220582: A pump can fill a reservoir in 12 days. A second pump, operating independently, can fill the same reservoir in 8 days. How long will it take to fill the reservoir if both pumps operate simultaneously? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #165565 by ptaylor(2198) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Let x=amount of time required with both pumps operating simultaneously to fill the reservoir
\n" ); document.write( "Then both pumps operating simultaneously fills at the rate of 1/x reservoir per day\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The first pump fills at the rate of 1/12 reservoir per day
\n" ); document.write( "The second pump fills at the rate of 1/8 reservoir per day
\n" ); document.write( "So our equation to solve is:
\n" ); document.write( "1/12 + 1/8 = 1/x multiply each term by 24x
\n" ); document.write( "2x+3x=24
\n" ); document.write( "5x=24 divide each side by 5
\n" ); document.write( "x=4.8 days---time required with both pumps operating simultaneously \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "CK
\n" ); document.write( "In 4.8 days, the first pump fills (1/12)*4.8 =0.4 of the tank
\n" ); document.write( "In 4.8 days the second pump fills (1/8)*4.8=0.6 of the tank
\n" ); document.write( "0.4 + 0.6 = 1
\n" ); document.write( "1=1 (1 tank, that is)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps---ptaylor \n" ); document.write( "

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