The zoo has two water tanks that are leaking. One water tank contains 12 gal of water and is leaking at a constant rate of 3 g/hr. The other contains 20 gal of water and is leaking at a constant rate of 5 g/hr. When will both tanks have the same amount?

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Answer 1 · 2017-10-03T18:34:06

4 hours.

First tank has 12g and is losing 3g/hr
Second tank has 20g and is losing 5g/hr

If we represent the time by #t#, we could write this as an equation:

#12-3t = 20-5t#

Solving for #t#

#12-3t= 20-5t=> 2t = 8=> t = 4#:

4 hrs. At this time both tanks will have emptied simultaneously.