16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardTime to reach a level with inflow and outflow

Algebra practice question

A tank holds 200 litres. Water drains out at 4 litres per minute while a pipe adds water at 1.5 litres per minute. After how many minutes will the tank hold 50 litres?

Answer: 60

The net change is −2.5 litres per minute: 200 − 2.5t = 50 gives t = 60.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 80
80 is 200 ÷ 2.5, the time to empty the tank, not to reach 50 litres.
If you answered 100
100 uses 1.5 litres per minute, the inflow alone.
If you answered 37.5
37.5 uses the drain rate alone, ignoring the inflow.

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