Final answer:
To determine the time it will take for the pool to be filled when both a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe are used, we set up an equation based on their respective filling rates. Solving the equation reveals that the swimming pool will be filled in 3.6 hours with both pipes turned on.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve this problem, we can use the concept of rates at which the pipes fill the pool. The cold water pipe fills the pool in 4 hours, which means it fills 1/4 of the pool in one hour. Let's assume the total time taken to fill the pool with both pipes open is t hours. In those t hours, the cold water pipe has been running the entire time, contributing 1/4 of the pool per hour. The hot water pipe, however, starts 3 hours later, so it only runs for t - 3 hours. We can represent this with the equation:
1/4 * t + 1/6 * (t - 3) = 1
Solving for t:
- Multiply both sides by 12 (the least common multiple of 4 and 6) to get rid of the fractions:
- 3t + 2(t - 3) = 12
- 3t + 2t - 6 = 12
- 5t - 6 = 12
- Add 6 to both sides: 5t = 18
- Divide by 5: t = 18/5 or 3.6 hours
The pool will be filled in 3.6 hours with both pipes turned on.