The rate at which the inlet pipe fills the tank is the reciprocal of the time it takes to fill it.
When both pipes are open, the net rate is the difference between the filling rate and the emptying rate.
Net filling rate = Inlet rate - Outlet rate
Net filling rate = $\frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{6}$
To subtract, find a common denominator, which is 12:
Net filling rate = $\frac{3}{12} - \frac{2}{12} = \frac{1}{12}$ of the tank per hour.
The net rate of $\frac{1}{12}$ means the tank fills completely in 12 hours (since Time = Total Work / Rate = $1 \div \frac{1}{12} = 12$ hours).
We need to find the time to fill half the tank (i.e., $\frac{1}{2}$ of the tank).
Time to half-fill = (Amount to fill) / (Net filling rate)
Time to half-fill = $\frac{1}{2} \div \frac{1}{12}$
Time to half-fill = $\frac{1}{2} \times 12 = 6$ hours.
Therefore, the tank will be half-full in 6 hours.
Pipes A, B and C can fill a tank in 20, 30 and 60 hours, respectively. Pipes A, B and C are opened at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., and 9 a.m., respectively, on the same day. When will the tank be full?
There are two water taps in a tank which can fill the empty tank in 12 hours and 18 hours respectively. It is seen that there is a leakage point at the bottom of the tank which can empty the completely filled tank in 36 hours. If both the water taps are opened at the same time to fill the empty tank and leakage point was repaired after 1 hour, then in how much time the empty tank will be completely filled?
Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 12 minutes and 24 minutes, respectively, while a third pipe C can empty the full tank in 32 minutes. All the three pipes are opened simultaneously. However, pipe C is closed 2 minutes before the tank is filled. In how much time (in minutes) will the tank be full?
Pipes A and B can fill a tank in 12 hours and 16 hours respectively and pipe C can empty the full tank in 24 hours. All three pipes are opened together, but after 4 hours pipe B is closed. In how many hours, the empty tank will be completely filled?
Pipes A and B can fill a tank in 43.2 minutes and 108 minutes, respectively. Pipe C can empty it at 3 litres/minute. When all the three pipes are opened together, they fill the tank in 54 minutes. The capacity (in litres) of the tank is: