SBI Clerk
Study Material For Aptitute
PIPES AND CISTERNS
Concept of ‘Pipe and Cistern’
Same as ‘Time and Work’
Here, Time of filling cistern = Time to do a work
Volume of cistern = Total work
Speed of filling cistern = Efficiency of work
Trick
The above diagram shows the general
structure of how we can quickly analyze a
question based on Time and Work. Similar
concept is applicable for Pipe and Cistern as
well. The figure beside shows its application in
Pipe and Cistern Problems.
Points to Remember
If a pipe can fill a tank in x hours and another pipe can fill it in y hours, then the fraction of tank
filled by both pipes together in 1 hour
1 1 �+�
+ =
� � ��
If a pipe can fill a tank in x hours and another pipe can empty it in y hours, then the
fraction of tank filled by both the pipes together in 1 hour
1 1 �−�
− =
� � ��
Basic Questions
Q1. Two pipes P and Q, when opened alone can fill the tank in 20 and 30 hours
respectively. If both pipes are opened together, then in how many hours will the tank be
filled?
Solution:
Part of tank filled by pipe P in 1 hour = 1/20 Part
of tank filled by pipe Q in 1 hour = 1/30
⇒ Tank filled by both pipes in 1 hour = 1/20 + 1/30 = 5/60 = 1/12
∴ Complete tank will be filled by both in 12 hours
Q2. A tank can be filled by pipe A in 5 hours and emptied by pipe B in 8 hours
respectively. How much time will it take for the tank to be half full?
Solution:
Pipe alone can fill the tank in = 5 hrs.
Pipe alone can empty the tank in = 8 hrs.
Let tank to be half full in x hrs.,
then
According to the question
x/5 - x/8 = ½
(8x - 5x)/40 = ½
3x/40 = ½
3x = (1/2) × 40 = 20
x = 20/3 hrs.
Work Alternately
In this type of questions two pipes work on alternate hours
Q3. Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 6 hours and 4 hours respectively. If they
are opened on alternate hours and if pipe A is opened first, then the tank shall be filled
in:
Solution:
Let the filling rate of A be a, and that of B be b. Let the capacity of the tank be C. We have
C=a×6=b×4
⇒ a = C/6 and b = C/4
Given, pipe A is opened in the first hour. Hence, C/6 is filled in the first hour. Similarly, C/4
is filled in the second hour. In two hours, we have a capacity of 5C/12 filled.
Hence, in 4 hrs.
We have 10C/12 capacity filled. There is 1/6th of the capacity to be filled.
Pipe A is filling the tank now. It will fill this tank in an hour. Hence, it takes a total of 5
hours to fill this tank.
Solved Examples
Q1. Three taps P, Q and R can fill a tank in 20, 30 and 40 minutes respectively. If all the
three taps are opened, then how much time (in minutes) it will take to completely fill the
tank?
Solution:
Time taken by tap P to fill the tank = 20 minutes
⇒ Part of tank filled in 1 minute = 1/20
Similarly, tank filled by Q and R in 1 min = 1/30 and 1/40 respectively.
⇒ Part of tank filled by all three taps in 1 minute = 1/20 + 1/30 + 1/40 = 13/120
3
∴ Tank will be completely filled in 120/13 minutes =913 ���
Q2. Pipe A can fill in 20 minutes and Pipe B in 30 mins and Pipe C can empty the same in
40 mins. If all of them work together, find the time taken to fill the tank?
Solution:
In one min work done by A = 1/20
In one min work done by B = 1/30
In one min work done by C = 1/40
∵ A and B both fill the tank and C empty the tank
1 1 1 7
∴ Total work done in one min to fill the tank= 20 + 30
−
40
=
120
∴ Time taken to fill the tank = 120/7 mins
Q3. Two taps A and B fill a tank in 24 minutes and 32 minutes respectively. If both the
taps are opened simultaneously, after how many minutes tap B should be closed so
that the tank fills up in 18 minutes.
Solution:
Tap A fills 1/24 of the tank in 1 minute
Tap B fills 1/32 of the tank in 1 minute
Let,
After x minutes tap B should be closed
So,
⇒ 18/24 + x/32 = 1
⇒ x/32 = 1 - 18/24
x = 6/24 × 32 = 8 minutes
