Pipes A, B and C are attached to an empty cistern. While the first two can fill the cistern in 4 and 10 hours, respectively, the third can drain the cistern, when filled, in 6 hours. If all the three pipes are opened simultaneously when the cistern is half-full, how many hours will be needed to fill the cistern?

Pipes A, B and C are attached to an empty cistern. While the first two can fill the cistern in 4 and 10 hours, respectively, the third can drain the cistern, when filled, in 6 hours. If all the three pipes are opened simultaneously when the cistern is half-full, how many hours will be needed to fill the cistern? Correct Answer 30/11

A and B can fill the cistern in 4 and 10 hours, while C can drain the cistern, when filled, in 6 hours,

Let the capacity of the cistern be 60 units (LCM of 4, 10 and 6)

⇒ A’s 1 hour work = 15 units

⇒ B’s 1 hour work = 6 units

⇒ C’s 1 hour work = -10 units

⇒ (A + B + C)’s 1 hour work = 11

∴ When all the three pipes are opened simultaneously, then they take 30/11 to fill the cistern half.

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