A pipe can empty a tank in 2 minutes. Another pipe can empty the tank in 12 minutes, and a third pipe can fill the tank in 22 minutes. What is the time required to empty the tank if all the pipes are opened simultaneously?

Correct Answer: 1.85 minutes
Let the capacity of the tank be 132 litres. The efficiency of the pipes = 132 / 2, 132 / 12 and 132 / 22 respectively. The efficiency of the pipes = 66, 11 and 6 respectively. The relative efficiency to empty the tank = 66 + 11 – 6 = 71 litres per minute. The time required to empty the tank = 132 / 71 = 1.85 minutes.