SOLUTION: Three pipes P1,P2,P3 fill a tank in 6 houres.If we closed P3, both pipes P1 AND P2 will fill the tank in 6 houres. how long does it take for P3 alone to fill the tank ?

Algebra ->  Rate-of-work-word-problems -> SOLUTION: Three pipes P1,P2,P3 fill a tank in 6 houres.If we closed P3, both pipes P1 AND P2 will fill the tank in 6 houres. how long does it take for P3 alone to fill the tank ?      Log On


   

Question 389193: Three pipes P1,P2,P3 fill a tank in 6 houres.If we closed P3, both pipes P1 AND P2 will fill the tank in 6 houres. how long does it take for P3 alone to fill the tank ?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let R1, R2, and R3 equal the rates in tankfuls/hr
that the pipes fill the tank
(1) R%5B1%5D+%2B+R%5B2%5D+%2B+R%5B3%5D+=+1%2F6
(2) R%5B1%5D+%2B+R%5B2%5D+=+1%2F6
Subtracting (2) from (1), I see that R%5B3%5D+=+0,
So P3 contributes nothing to filling the tank,
so it would never fill the tank. Are you sure you
copied this problem correctly?