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To fill a swimming pool two pipes are to be used. If the . . .

Question : To fill a swimming pool two pipes are to be used. If the pipe of larger diameter is used for 4 hours and the pipe of smaller diameter for 9 hours, only half of the pool can be filled. Find, how long it would take for each pipe to fill the pool separately, if the pipe of smaller diameter takes 10 hours more than the pipe of larger diameter to fill the pool.

Doubt by Sarthak

Solution : 

Let the time taken by the pipe of larger diameter = x hours

Fraction of tank filled by pipe of larger diameter in 1 hour = 1/x

Fraction of tank filled by pipe of larger diameter in 4 hours = 4/x

Fraction of tank filled by pipe of smaller diameter in 1 hour = 1/(x+10) 

Fraction of tank filled by pipe of larger diameter in 9 hours = 9/(x+10)

ATQ

x²-(20-4)x-80=0
x²-20x+4x-80=0
x(x-20)+4(x-20)=0
(x+4)(x-20)=0

x+4 = 0 
x = -4
∵ Time can't be negative.
∴ x≠-4
Hence, x=4 is rejected.

(x-20)=0
x = 20

Hence, time taken by the pipe of larger diameter
= x hours
= 20 hours

and the time taken by the pipe of smaller diameter
= (x+10) hours
= (20+10) hours

= 30 hours