SOLUTION: One pipe fills a tank in eight hours. Another pipe can fill the tank in 12 hours. How long will it take to fill the tank if both pipes are operating simultaneously?

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Question 739937: One pipe fills a tank in eight hours. Another pipe can fill the tank in 12 hours. How long will it take to fill the tank if both pipes are operating simultaneously?
Answer by lwsshak3(11628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
One pipe fills a tank in eight hours. Another pipe can fill the tank in 12 hours. How long will it take to fill the tank if both pipes are operating simultaneously?
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let x=time it will take to fill the tank if both pipes are operating simultaneously
1/x= work rate with both pipes are operating simultaneously
1/8=work rate of one of the pipes
1/12=work rate of the other pipe
sum of individual work rates=work rate working together
1%2F8%2B1%2F12=1%2Fx
3%2F24%2B2%2F24=1%2Fx
5%2F24=1%2Fx
x=24/5=4.8
time it will take to fill the tank if both pipes are operating simultaneously=4.8 hrs