Final answer:
The time it will take to empty the tank at a rate of 500 gallons per minute is approximately 3.125 hours or 3 hours and 8 minutes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The problem states that the time required to empty a tank varies inversely as the pumping rate. This means that as the pumping rate increases, the time required to empty the tank decreases, and vice versa.
We are given that a pump can empty a tank in 2.5 hours at a rate of 400 gallons per minute. To find the time it will take to empty the tank at a rate of 500 gallons per minute, we can set up a proportion.
Using the formula for inverse variation, we have:
Time ∝ 1 / Rate
Setting up the proportion:
2.5 hours / 400 gallons per minute = x hours / 500 gallons per minute
Cross-multiplying and solving for x:
2.5 * 500 = 400 * x
1250 = 400x
x = 3.125 hours
Therefore, it will take approximately 3.125 hours or 3 hours and 8 minutes to empty the tank at a rate of 500 gallons per minute.