Relative capacity: B is 80% more than A Tap B’s capacity is 80% greater than A’s. If both run together, they fill the tank in 45 hours. How long would B take alone to fill the tank?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 70 h

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
“80% more” means B’s rate is 1.8 times A’s rate. With the joint time known, we solve for the base rate and then get B’s solo time by inversion.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Together time = 45 h ⇒ combined rate = 1/45 per hour.
  • Let A’s rate = r; then B’s rate = 1.8r = 9r/5.


Concept / Approach:
r + 9r/5 = 1/45 ⇒ solve for r. Then B-alone time = 1 / (9r/5).



Step-by-Step Solution:

Combined rate = r + 9r/5 = 14r/5 = 1/45r = (5 / 14) * (1/45) = 1 / 126B’s rate = 9r/5 = 9 / (5*126) = 1 / 70B-alone time = 70 h


Verification / Alternative check:
1/126 + 1/70 = (5 + 9)/630 = 14/630 = 1/45.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
72, 66, 48 contradict the derived rate ratio 1 : 1.8.



Common Pitfalls:
Treating “80% more” as 1.8 more (i.e., 2.8×) instead of 1.8× the base.



Final Answer:
70 h

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