UPSC Prelims 2025·CSAT·Quantitative Aptitude·Time and Work

A set (X) of 20 pipes can fill 70% of a tank in 14 minutes. Another set (Y) of 10 pipes fills 3/8th of the tank in 6 minutes. A third set (Z) of 16 pipes can empty half of the tank in 20 minutes. If half of the pipes of set X are closed and only half of the pipes of set Y are open, and all pipes of the set (Z) are open, then how long will it take to fill 50% of the tank?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A8 minutes
  2. B10 minutes
  3. C12 minutes
  4. D16 minutesCorrect

Explanation

To find the time taken to fill 50 percent of the tank, we first calculate the efficiency of each set of pipes. Set X: 20 pipes fill 70 percent in 14 minutes. This means 20 pipes fill 5 percent per minute. If only half the pipes (10 pipes) are open, they will fill 2.5 percent per minute. Set Y: 10 pipes fill 3/8th (37.5 percent) in 6 minutes. This means 10 pipes fill 6.25 percent per minute. If only half the pipes (5 pipes) are open, they will fill 3.125 percent per minute. Set Z: 16 pipes empty 50 percent in 20 minutes. This means 16 pipes empty 2.5 percent per minute. Now, we combine the rates of the active pipes: Net Rate = (Rate of 10 pipes from X) + (Rate of 5 pipes from Y) - (Rate of 16 pipes from Z) Net Rate = 2.5 + 3.125 - 2.5 = 3.125 percent per minute. To fill 50 percent of the tank at a rate of 3.125 percent per minute: Time = 50 divided by 3.125 = 16 minutes. Therefore, it will take 16 minutes to fill 50 percent of the tank. The correct option is D.
Quantitative Aptitude: A set (X) of 20 pipes can fill 70% of a tank in 14 minutes. Another set (Y) of 10 pipes fills 3/8th of the tank in 6 min

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