At a constant Rate of flow, it takes $$20$$ minutes to fill a swimming pool if a large hose is used and $$30$$ minutes

This topic has expert replies
Moderator
Posts: 1953
Joined: 29 Oct 2017
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:5 members

At a constant Rate of flow, it takes $$20$$ minutes to fill a swimming pool if a large hose is used and $$30$$ minutes

by M7MBA » Sat Oct 16, 2021 5:00 am

00:00

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

At a constant Rate of flow, it takes $$20$$ minutes to fill a swimming pool if a large hose is used and $$30$$ minutes if a small hose is Used. At these constant rates, how many minutes will it take to fill the pool when both hoses are used simultaneously?

A. 10
B. 12
C. 15
D. 25
E. 50

Source: GMAT Prep

GMAT/MBA Expert

GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15883
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1267 members
GMAT Score:770

Re: At a constant Rate of flow, it takes $$20$$ minutes to fill a swimming pool if a large hose is used and $$30$$ minut

by [email protected] » Sat Oct 16, 2021 5:49 am
M7MBA wrote:
Sat Oct 16, 2021 5:00 am
At a constant Rate of flow, it takes $$20$$ minutes to fill a swimming pool if a large hose is used and $$30$$ minutes if a small hose is Used. At these constant rates, how many minutes will it take to fill the pool when both hoses are used simultaneously?

A. 10
B. 12
C. 15
D. 25
E. 50

Source: GMAT Prep
Let's assign a nice value to the volume of the pool. We want a volume that works well with the given information (20 minutes and 30 minutes).
So, let's say the pool has a total volume of 60 gallons

It takes 20 minutes to fill a swimming pool with a LARGE hose
In other words, the LARGE hose can pump 60 gallons of water in 20 minutes
So, the RATE of the large hose = 3 gallons per minute

It takes 30 minutes to fill a swimming pool with a SMALL hose
In other words, the SMALL hose can pump 60 gallons of water in 30 minutes
So, the RATE of the small hose = 2 gallons per minute

So, the COMBINED rate of BOTH pumps = 3 gallons per minute + 2 gallons per minute = 5 gallons per minute

How many minutes will it take to fill the pool when both hoses are used simultaneously?
We need to pump 60 gallons of water, and the combined rate is 5 gallons per minute
Time = output/rate
= 60/5
= 12 minutes