Question 1134694
<br>
In the clearly presented solution from tutor @ikleyn, the problem is solved by the standard algebraic method -- looking at the fraction of the job each tap does in one minute, and solving an equation using the least common denominator of those fractions.<br>
Here is an alternative method that many students prefer, since it avoids using fractions in the calculations.<br>
The individual times for the three taps to fill the tank are 60, 25, and 15 minutes.<br>
(1) Find the least common MULTIPLE of those times -- 300.<br>
(2) In 300 minutes...
(a) the first tap could fill the tank 300/60 = 5 times;
(b) the second tap could fill the tank 300/25 = 12 times; and
(c) the third tap could fill the tank 300/15 = 20 times.<br>
So in 300 minutes, the three taps could fill the tank 5+12+20 = 37 times.  That means the time required to fill the one tank is 300/37 minutes.