Two pipes P and Q can fill tank A in 36 minutes and 72

Solution

For tank A- Pipes P – 36 min, Q – 72 min & M=- 54 min Total quantity = 216 units Efficiency of P = 216/36 = 6 units/min Efficiency of Q = 216/72 = 3 units/min Efficiency of M = 216/54 = (- 4) units/min According to the questions: For tank B — 6 (x – 48) + 3 (x – 48) – 4 (x – 48) = 60  6x – 288 + 3x – 144 – 4x + 192 = 60  5x = (288 + 144 + 60 – 192)     x = 300/5 = 60 minutes Total quantity of tank B = 60 × 4 = 240 liter  Alternatively (P + Q – M) for 60 minutes, means each pipe for 20 minutes— All three in 14 minutes (P + Q – M) = 20 × 6 + 20 × 3 – 20 × 4 = 100 liters     Filled portion = 100/240 = 5/12