Two taps A and B can fill a tank in 20 min and 30 min, respectively. An outlet pipe C can empty the full tank in 15 min. A, B and C are opened alternatively, each for 1 min. How long will the tank take to be filled?

Part of the tank filled by the taps A, B and C in 3 min = 1/20 + 1/30 - 1/15 = (3 + 2 - 4)/60 = 1/60
∴ Time taken to fill [ 1 - ( 1/20 + 1/30 )] or 55/60th part of the tank = 3 x 55 = 165 min
Remaining part of the tank = 1 - 55/60 = 5/60 = 1/12
Tap A fill 1/0 part in 1 min, then
Remaining part = 1/12 - 1/20 = (5 -3)/60 = 2/60 = 1/30
i.e, 1/30th part is filled by B in 1 min
Hence, required time to fill the whole tank = (165 + 1 +1 ) min = 167 min