SOLUTION: Pipe a can fill a tank in 4 hours while pipe b can fill the same tank in 6 hours.How much of the tank is filed by pipe a in 1 hour?How much of the tank is filed by pipe b in 1 hour

Algebra ->  Rate-of-work-word-problems -> SOLUTION: Pipe a can fill a tank in 4 hours while pipe b can fill the same tank in 6 hours.How much of the tank is filed by pipe a in 1 hour?How much of the tank is filed by pipe b in 1 hour      Log On


   

Question 214082: Pipe a can fill a tank in 4 hours while pipe b can fill the same tank in 6 hours.How much of the tank is filed by pipe a in 1 hour?How much of the tank is filed by pipe b in 1 hour?How much of the tank is filled in 1 hour if both pipe open?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In words:
Pipe a's rate is:
(1 tank)/(4 hrs) = 1%2F4
1%2F4+=+%281%2F4%29%2F1, or (1/4 of a tank)/(1 hr)
Pipe a can fill 1/4 of the tank in 1 hour
Pipe b's rate is:
(1 tank)/(6 hrs) = 1%2F6
1%2F6+=+%281%2F6%29%2F1 or (1/6 of a tank)/(1 hour)
Pipe b can fill 1/6 of the tank in 1 hour
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(pipe a's rate of filling) + (pipe b's rate of filling) = (rate of filling with both pipes open)
Let x = fraction of tank filled in 1 hour with both pipes open
1%2F4+%2B+1%2F6+=+x%2F1
3%2F12+%2B+2%2F12+=+x
5%2F12+=+x
With both pipes open, 5/12 of the tank can be filled in 1 hour