SOLUTION: 16. A small hose running alone can fill a tank in 20 minutes, and a larger hose running alone can fill the same tank in 12 minutes. (a) What fraction of the tank is filled by ea

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: 16. A small hose running alone can fill a tank in 20 minutes, and a larger hose running alone can fill the same tank in 12 minutes. (a) What fraction of the tank is filled by ea      Log On

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Question 389578: 16. A small hose running alone can fill a tank in 20 minutes, and a larger hose running alone can fill the same tank in 12 minutes.
(a) What fraction of the tank is filled by each hose running alone in one minute?
(b) What fraction is filled by both hoses running together for one minute?
(c) How many minutes will it take both hoses working together to fill up the tank?

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a) If a hose can fill a tank in 20 minutes, then it can fill 1%2F20 of the tank in 1 minute.
If a hose can fill a tank in 12 minutes, then it can fill 1%2F12 of the tank in 1 minute.
Do you see the pattern here?
b) If both hoses are running for 1 minute, then just add the rate/minute for each hose.
%281%2F20%29%2B%281%2F12%29+=+%283%2F60%29%2B%285%2F60%29=8%2F60+=+0.133minutes.
c)If both hoses are running together, then the rate per minute is 8%2F60+=+2%2F15 so 2%2F15 of the tank will be filled in 1 minute.
So it will take 15%2F2+=+7.5 minutes to fill the tank.