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Pipes Cisterns Sample Question - CAT 2012 Prep

The question for the day is from the topic Pipes and Cisterns. The problems from the topic Pipes and Cisterns and Work and Time are very similar in nature. So, if you understand the nature of one of these types, you will be able to attempt the other quite comfortably.

Question 4

A pump can be used either to fill or to empty a tank. The capacity of the tank is 3600 m³. The emptying capacity of the pump is 10 m³/min higher than its filling capacity. What is the emptying capacity of the pump if the pump needs 12 more minutes to fill the tank than to empty it?

1. 50 m³ / min
2. 60 m³ / min
3. 45 m³ / min
4. 90 m³ /min
5. 72 m³ /min
   
   

Correct Choice - (2). Correct Answer is 60 m³ / min

Explanatory Answer

Let 'f' m³/min be the filling capacity of the pump.
Therefore, the emptying capacity of the pump will be = (f + 10 ) m³ / min.

The time taken to fill the tank will be = minutes

And the time taken to empty the tank will be = .
We know that it takes 12 more minutes to fill the tank than to empty it

i.e = 12

=> 3600 f + 36000 - 3600 f = 12 (f² + 10 f)

=> 36000 = 12 (f² + 10 f) => 3000 = f² + 10 f => f² + 10 f - 3000 = 0.

Solving for positive value of 'f' we get, f = 50.

Therefore, the emptying capacity of the pump = 50 + 10 = 60 m³ / min

CAT Practice Questions and Answers : Listed Topicwise

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