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Two hoses against an open drain

Question

A paddling pool can be filled by one hose in 2020 minutes or by a second hose in 1010 minutes. With its drain open, a full pool empties in 1515 minutes. Starting empty, with both hoses running and the drain open, how many minutes until the pool is full?

Short answer

1212 minutes. Net rate is 120+110−115=3+6−460=112\tfrac1{20}+\tfrac1{10}-\tfrac1{15}=\tfrac{3+6-4}{60}=\tfrac1{12} pool per minute.

Adapted from QuantQuestions.io; question and answer rewritten by SelfMadeQuant.com.

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