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Puzzle ZNEC 



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A large freshwater reservoir has two types of drainage system. Small pipes and large pipes.

6 large pipes, on their own, can drain the reservoir in 12 hours.

6 small pipes, on their own, can drain the reservoir in 18 hours.

How long will 6 large pipes and 6 small pipes take to drain the reservoir?

Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone

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Answer
7 hours and 12 minutes.

Reasoning
We can use a time that 12 hours and 18 hours both fit in to, in 36 hours:

   6 large pipes can drain 3 reservoirs.
   6 small pipes can drain 2 reservoirs.

Therefore, together, 6 large and 6 small pipes can drain 5 reservoirs.

36 hours ÷ 5 = 7.2 hours for one reservoir.

7.2 hours = 7 hours and 12 minutes for one reservoir.

 

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