BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
Live EA class + 6 months of EA OnDemand
  • Expert-led weekly online sessions
  • EA Masterclass access between classes
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

130-point score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Pump A and Pump B

Expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

by logitech » Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:39 am
SO in 1 minute pump a can empty the 1/A of the tank, leaving (1-1/A) in the tank

( TIME-1 )x(1/A+1/B) = (1-1/A)

(TIME-1) = (AB-B)/(A+B)

TIME = (AB+A)/(A+B)

TIME = A(B+1)/(A+B)
LGTCH
---------------------
"DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!"
Join the discussion

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:49 am
Nice work, Logitech.
Here's my full solution as well:

After 1 minute, the pool has been emptied by 1/A, or we can say that (A-1)/A remains to be emptied.
After 1 minute, A can empty 1/A of the pool and pump B can empty 1/B of the pool. Combined they can empty 1/A + 1/B of the pool or (A+B)/AB. This means that they can empty the entire pool in AB/(A+B) minutes
But, we don’t need to empty the entire pool. After 1 minute (when both pumps are working together), the pool is only (A-1)/A full, so the length of time to empty it from this point is [AB/(A+B)][(A-1)/A]
To this value, we add the initial 1 minute to get [AB/(A+B)][(A-1)/A] + 1
This simplifies to be B
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Join the discussion

by acecoolan » Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:20 pm
Anything wrong doing it this way

A's rate = 1/A
B's rate = 1/B

Say A works for t mins
so B works for t-1 mins

Hence t/A + (t-1)/B = 1 (i.e. total work)

t/A + t/B = 1 + (1/B)
t( A + B)/AB = (B + 1) B

t = A(B+1)/(A+B)

-A
Join the discussion

by logitech » Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:44 pm
acecoolan wrote:Anything wrong doing it this way

A's rate = 1/A
B's rate = 1/B

Say A works for t mins
so B works for t-1 mins

Hence t/A + (t-1)/B = 1 (i.e. total work)

t/A + t/B = 1 + (1/B)
t( A + B)/AB = (B + 1) B

t = A(B+1)/(A+B)

-A
Math can get pretty sexy sometimes and this is one of them! Beautiful work!
LGTCH
---------------------
"DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!"
Join the discussion

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:01 pm
acecoolan wrote:Anything wrong doing it this way

A's rate = 1/A
B's rate = 1/B

Say A works for t mins
so B works for t-1 mins

Hence t/A + (t-1)/B = 1 (i.e. total work)

t/A + t/B = 1 + (1/B)
t( A + B)/AB = (B + 1) B

t = A(B+1)/(A+B)

-A
Beautiful solution - very eloquent!
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Join the discussion

by Ian Stewart » Sat Jan 10, 2009 10:18 pm
I'd almost certainly have done this algebraically, but it's also quick to choose some extreme numbers. For example, if A does next to no work - say A = 1,000,000 - and B fills the pool in a minute (B = 1), then the job is going to take a total of just shy of two minutes, because A does next to nothing, and B doesn't start working until one minute is up. It's then quick to rule out all the answers besides B.
Last edited by Ian Stewart on Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com

ianstewartgmat.com
Join the discussion

by cramya » Sat Jan 10, 2009 10:25 pm
Ian, thats one smart thinking, seriously... Thanks for the alternate approach.

Regards,
Cramya
Join the discussion

by logitech » Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:10 am
That's how Ian Stewart rolls! Great explanation!
LGTCH
---------------------
"DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!"
Join the discussion