PIPES AND CISTERNS - SHORTCUTS

Pipes and cisterns problems are frequently asked in almost all MBA Entrance Tests such as MAT, CAT, XAT, CMAT,GMAT, and also sometimes in IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk Exams. Pipes and Cisterns Problems are almost of the same type as those of Time and Work Problems.The only difference between these two is that in pipes and cisterns problems there are inlets which perform positive work and also sometimes there are outlets/leaks/holes which perform negative work.In this post, we shall discuss what types of pipes and cisterns based questions are asked in competitive exams and how to solve them in quick time.
Inlet: It is a pipe connected to the cistern (also called reservoirs/tanks), which fills the tank.
Outlet: It is a pipe(may also be in the form of a leak or a hole) connected to the cistern (also called reservoirs/tanks), which empties the tank.

RULES/SHORTCUTS TO SOLVE PIPES AND CISTERNS PROBLEMS:

1. If a pipe can fill a tank in ‘x’ hours and another pipe can empty the full tank in ‘y’ hours, then time taken to fill the tank, when both the pipes are opened together………..
2. If a pipe can fill a tank in ‘x’ hours and another pipe can fill the same tank in ‘y’ hours, then time taken to fill the tank, when both the pipes are opened together………..
3. If a pipe can fill a tank in ‘x’ hours and another pipe can fill the same tank in ‘y’ hours, but a third one empties the full tank in ‘z’ hours, then time taken to fill the tank, when all the pipes are opened together……..
4. If a pipe can fill a tank in ‘x’ hours. Due to a leak in the bottom it is filled in y hrs. If the tank is full, the time taken by the leak to empty the tank……….

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PIPES AND CISTERNS - SHORTCUTS