3 pipes can fill a tank in 5 minutes combined. If the first 2 pipes can fill the tank in 12 minutes combined, find the time required by the third pipe to fill the tank.

Correct Answer: 8.57 minutes
Let the capacity of the tank be 120 liters. The efficiency of all pipes combined = 120 / 5 = 24 The efficiency of the first 2 pipes combined = 120 / 12 = 10 The efficiency of the third pipe = 24 – 10 = 14 The time taken by the third pipe to fill the tank = 120 / 14 = 8.57 minutes