A water storage tank has two drains. It can be shown that the time it takes to empty the tank if both drains are open is given by the formula (1)/((1)/(a)+(1)/(b)) where a= time it takes for the first drain to empty the tank, and b=time for the second drain to empty the tank. a. Simplify this complex fraction.   _____ b. Find the amount of time needed to empty the tank using both drains if, used alone, the first drain empties the tank in 7 hours and the second drain can empty the tank in 6 hours. It takes ____  hours to empty the tank.

Algebra & Trigonometry with Analytic Geometry
13th Edition
ISBN:9781133382119
Author:Swokowski
Publisher:Swokowski
Chapter2: Equations And Inequalities
Section2.3: Quadratic Equations
Problem 82E
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A water storage tank has two drains. It can be shown that the time it takes to empty the tank if both drains are open is given by the formula

(1)/((1)/(a)+(1)/(b))
where a= time it takes for the first drain to empty the tank, and b=time for the second drain to empty the tank.

a. Simplify this complex fraction.   _____
b. Find the amount of time needed to empty the tank using both drains if, used alone, the first drain empties the tank in 7 hours and the second drain can empty the tank in 6 hours.
It takes ____  hours to empty the tank. 

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