Top 130 Pipe and cistern questions for Competitive Exams [ 100% FREE ]

Introducing an important aspect of the quantitative aptitude section: the Pipe and cistern questions. A common challenge candidates face in various competitive exams, be it banks, SSC, RRB, Insurance and more, is problems related to pipes and cisterns. In this comprehensive article, we delve deep into “Pipe and cistern questions“, ensuring you get the most effective preparation material.

For many, the term “Pipe and cistern questions” can seem daunting, but with the right approach and understanding of the “pipes and cisterns formula“, it becomes manageable. This is why we’re emphasizing on the crucial examples like “two pipes p and q together can fill a cistern” and “two pipes a and b can fill a cistern“. Both these examples will give you a clear perspective on how to approach these problems.

We also recognize the importance of language adaptability in preparation. Therefore, we have also incorporated “pipe and cistern questions in Hindi” and insights on “pipe and cistern in Hindi“. This ensures that you not only understand the crux of the “pipes and cisterns problems” but also can relate to them in a language you’re comfortable with.

Word problems, especially around the “pipes and cisterns formula“, have been a mainstay in competitive exams. While “two pipes p and q together can fill a cistern” or “two pipes a and b can fill a cistern” might seem similar, they can carry nuances that are essential for aspirants to grasp.

Pipes and Cisterns Formula :

Given below are aimportant formulas which shall help you solve the pipes and cistern based questions quicker and more efficiently:

  • If x hours are required to fill up a tank, then part filled in 1 hr =1/x
  • If y hours are required to empty the tank, then part emptied in 1 hour = 1/y
  • If a pipe can fill a tank in x hours and can empty the same tank in y hours. When both the pipes are opened at the same time, then the net part of the tank filled in 1 hr = {(xy) / (y-x)}, provided y>x
  • If a pipe can fill a tank in x hours and can empty the same tank in y hours. When both the pipes are opened at the same time, then the net part of the tank filled in 1 hr = {(xy) / (x-y)}, provided x>y
  • Net work done = (Sum of work done by Inlets) – (Sum of work done by Outlets)
  • One inlet can fill the tank in x hr and the other inlet can fill the same tank in y hrs, if both the inlets are opened at the same time, the time taken to fill the whole tank = {(xy) / (y+x)}
  • If two pipes take x and y hours respectively to fill a tank of water and a third pipe is opened which takes z hours to empty the tank, then the time taken to fill the tank = {1 / (1/x)+(1/y)+(1/z)} and the net part of the tank filled in 1 hr = (1/x)+(1/y)-(1/z)

The syllabus for competitive exams is vast, as we all know. But every topic, including “Pipe and cistern questions“, holds its weight. Therefore, giving due time to understand and practice these “pipes and cisterns problems” is paramount. Especially when considering the intense competition and the challenge to crack these exams.

In conclusion, this article offers an in-depth understanding of “Pipe and cistern questions“, covering essential examples like “two pipes p and q together can fill a cistern” and “two pipes a and b can fill a cistern“, not forgetting the importance of language with “pipe and cistern questions in Hindi” and “pipe and cistern in Hindi“.

Whether you’re just starting out or brushing up your skills, this article is your guide to excel. So, gear up and dive into the world of “Pipe and cistern questions” and ace your upcoming Government sector exams!

Top 130 Pipe and cistern questions for Competitive Exams :

51. Pipe A and B together can fill the tank in 12 hours and Pipe B and C together can fill the tank 15 hours. If the efficiency of pipe A is twice as C, in how many hours B alone fill the tank completely?


पाइप A और B मिलकर टैंक को 12 घंटे में भर सकते हैं और पाइप B और C मिलकर टैंक को 15 घंटे तक भर सकते हैं। यदि पाइप A की दक्षता C से दुगुनी है, तो B कितने घंटे में अकेले टैंक को पूरी तरह से भर देता है?


A. 18 hours
B. 20 hours
C. 24 hours
D. Cannot be determined
E. None of these


Option “B” is correct.

LCM of (12, 15) = 60 hours

Pipe A and B fill the tank in one hour = 5 units

Pipe B and C together can fill the tank in one hour = 4 units

A is twice as C. If C’s one hour work is one unit, the A’s one hour work is two units.

2 + B = 5

B = 3 units

B = 60/3 = 20 hours

52. Pipe A, B and C together can fill the tank in 8 hours and Pipe A and C together can fill the tank in 12 hours. In how many hours can pipe B alone fill the tank if pipe B fill the tank in double of the efficiency?


पाइप A, B और C मिलकर एक टैंक को 8 घंटे में भर सकते हैं और पाइप A और C मिलकर टैंक को 12 घंटे में भर सकते हैं। यदि पाइप B टैंक को दोगुनी दक्षता से भरता है तो कितने घंटे में B अकेले टैंक को भर सकता है?


A. 10 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 14 hours
D. 16 hours
E. None of these


Option “B” is correct.

Work done by A,B and C in one hour,

A + B + C=1/8

A + C=1/12

Work done by Bin one hour,

B=1/8 – 1/12=1/24

B’s fill the tank in double of the efficiency=2/24=1/12

So the tank can be filled in 12 hours by B.

53. Pipe A can fill the tank in 20 hours and the efficiency of A is 50% more than B. Pipe B and pipe C together can fill the tank in 20 hours. In how many hours pipe A and pipe C together can fill the tank?


पाइप A टैंक को 20 घंटे में भर सकता है और A की दक्षता B से 50% अधिक है। पाइप B और पाइप C एक साथ टैंक को 20 घंटे में भर सकते हैं। कितने घंटे में पाइप A और पाइप C एक साथ टैंक को भर सकते हैं?


A. 12 hours
B. 15 hours
C. 18 hours
D. 10 hours
E. None of these


Option “B” is correct.

A=1/20

B + C=1/20

B=150/100 * 20=30

B=1/30

C=1/20 – 1/30=3 – 2/60

=1/60

A + C=1/20 + 1/60

=3 + 1/60

=1/15

54. Three pipes A, B and C can fill the tank in 20 hours, 15 hours and 30 hours respectively. If Pipe A reduced half its efficiency and pipe C double its efficiency, in how many hours the tank filled completely?


तीन पाइप A, B और C क्रमशः टैंक को 20 घंटे, 15 घंटे और 30 घंटे में भर सकते हैं। यदि पाइप A ने अपनी क्षमता को आधी कम कर दिया और पाइप C ने अपनी दक्षता को दोगुना कर दिया, तो टैंक कितने घंटे में पूरी तरह से भर जायेगा?


A. 7(6/19) hours
B. 8(6/19) hours
C. 6(6/19) hours
D. 9(6/19) hours
E. None of these


Option “C” is correct.

Pipe A reduced half of the efficiency so = 40 hours

Pipe C double its efficiency, so filled the tank in = 15 hours

A + B + C = 1/40 + 1/15 + 1/15

= (3 + 8 + 8) /120

= 120/19 hours

= 6(6/19) hours

55. Pipe A can fill the tank in 20 hours and Pipe B and pipe C together can fill the tank in 15 hours. If ratio of the efficiency of pipe A to B is 3: 2, in how many hour pipe C alone can fill the tank?


पाइप A टैंक को 20 घंटे में भर सकता है और पाइप B और पाइप C मिलकर टैंक को 15 घंटे में भर सकता है। यदि पाइप A और B की दक्षता का अनुपात 3: 2 है, तो C अकेले कितने घंटे में टैंक को भर सकता है?


A. 20 hours
B. 25 hours
C. 30 hours
D. 40 hours
E. None of these


Option “C” is correct.

A = 1/20

B + C = 1/15

Time ratio of A and B = 2: 3

B = 3/2 * 20 = 30

C = 1/15 – 1/30

= 1/30

56. Pipe A alone can fill the tank in 15 hours and pipe A, B and C together can fill the tank in 4(32/37) hours. If the efficiency of pipe A is 20% more than the efficiency of pipe B, in how many hours pipe C alone can fill the tank?


पाइप A अकेले टैंक को 15 घंटे में भर सकता है और पाइप A, B और C एक साथ टैंक को 4 (32/37) घंटे में भर सकते हैं। यदि पाइप A की दक्षता, पाइप B की दक्षता से 20% अधिक है, तो कितने घंटे में पाइप C अकेले टैंक को भर सकता है?


A. 10 hours
B. 14 hours
C. 12 hours
D. 16 hours
E. 18 hours


Option “C” is correct.

A = 1/15

A + B + C = 37/180

Efficiency of A and B = 120:100

Time ratio of A and B = 5:6

B alone complete the work = 6/5 * 15 = 18 hours

C = 37/180 – 1/15 – 1/18 = (37 – 12 – 10)/180 = 1/12

57. Pipe A and B together can fill the tank in 12 hours. If the efficiency of pipe A is 37.5% of the efficiency of B, then in how many hours pipe B alone fill the tank?


पाइप A और B एक साथ टैंक को 12 घंटों में भर सकते हैं। यदि पाइप A की दक्षता B की दक्षता का 37.5% है, तो कितने घंटों में पाइप B अकेले टैंक को भरता है?


A. 15 hours
B. 15.5 hours
C. 16 hours
D. 16.5 hours
E. None of these


Option “D” is correct.

A + B = 1/12

Efficiency of pipe A = 37.5/100 * Efficiency of pipe B

Ratio of efficiency of A to B = 3:8

Time ratio of A and B = 8:3

1/8x + 1/3x = 1/12

11/24x = 1/12

x = 11/2

Pipe B alone fill the tank = 3 * 11/2 = 16.5 hours

58. A and B are inlet pipes and pipe B alone fill the empty tank in 20 hours. Pipe C and D are outlet pipes and pipe D alone empty the filled tank in 24 hours. If the efficiency of pipe A is double of B and the efficiency of pipe C is double of D, in how many hours pipe A and C together can fill an empty tank?


A और B इनलेट पाइप हैं और पाइप B अकेले 20 घंटों में खाली टैंक को भरता हैं। पाइप C और D आउटलेट पाइप हैं और पाइप D अकेले 24 घंटे में भरे टैंक को खाली करता हैं। यदि पाइप A की दक्षता पाइप B की दोगुनी है और पाइप C की दक्षता पाइप D की दोगुनी है, तो पाइप A और C मिलकर कितने घंटे में एक खाली टैंक को भर सकते हैं?


A. 40 hours
B. 60 hours
C. 50 hours
D. 30 hours
E. 45 hours


Option “B” is correct.

B alone fill the tank = 20 hours

A alone fill the tank = 1/2 * 20 = 10 hours

D alone empty the tank = 24 hours

C alone empty the tank in = 1/2 * 24 = 12 hours

1/A – 1/C = 1/10 – 1/12

= 1/60

59. Pipe A and B are inlet pipes and C is outlet pipe and pipe A, B and C together can fill the tank in 16 hours. Ratio of the efficiency of pipe B to C is 2:1 and the efficiency of B is 50% less than the efficiency of pipe A. Find the time taken by pipe B and C together can fill the tank?


पाइप A और B इनलेट पाइप हैं और C आउटलेट पाइप है और पाइप A, B और C मिलकर 16 घंटे में टैंक को भर सकते हैं। पाइप B से C की दक्षता का अनुपात 2: 1 है और B की दक्षता, पाइप A की दक्षता से 50% कम है। एक साथ पाइप B और C द्वारा टैंक को भरने में लिया गया समय ज्ञात कीजिए?


A. 50 hours
B. 60 hours
C. 80 hours
D. 90 hours
E. 100 hours


Option “C” is correct.

Time ratio of pipe B and C = 1:2

Efficiency of A and B = 100:50 = 2:1

Time ratio of A and B = 1:2

Time ratio of A, B and C = 1:2:4

1/x + 1/2x – 1/4x = 1/16

4 + 2 – 1/4x = 1/16

x = 20

Pipe B and C together can fill the tank = 1/40 – 1/80

= 1/80

60. Pipe A and B together can fill the tank in 22(2/9) hours. If pipe B is increased its efficiency by 25%, then both can fill the tank in 20 hours, in how many hours pipe A to fill the tank at the half of its efficiency?


पाइप A और B मिलकर टैंक को 22 (2/9) घंटे में भर सकते हैं। यदि पाइप B की दक्षता 25% तक बढ़ाया जाता है, तो दोनों टैंक को 20 घंटे में भर सकते हैं, कितने घंटे में पाइप A अपनी दक्षता के आधे पर टैंक को भर सकता हैं?


A. 80
B. 60
C. 90
D. 100
E. None of these


Option “A” is correct.

1/A + 1/B = 9/200

Pipe B efficiency increased by 25%

1/A + 5/4B = 1/20

1/B – 5/4B = 9/200 – 1/20

-1/4B = -1/200

B = 50

1/A = 9/200 – 1/50

1/A = 1/40

A alone complete the tank with its half efficiency 40 * 2 = 80 hours