The flow of water through a drainage pipe was monitored for a 3-hour period. In the second hour, the rate of flow was 36 gallons per hour, which was 50 percent faster than the rate of flow for the first hour. If 25 percent more water flowed through the pipe in the third hour than it did in the second, how many gallons of water flowed through the pipe during the entire three hours?
Options:
(A) 106.25
(B) 105.5
(C) 105.75
(D) 106
(E) 105.0 Now, let's think a bit. Some random thoughts:
Rate of flow of water in second hour = 36 gallons per hour
Rate of flow of water in first hour = 36/(3/2) = 24 gallons per hour
Rate of flow of water in third hour = (125/100)* 36 = (5/4) * 36 = 45 gallons per hour
Number of gallons of water that flowed through the pipe during the entire 3 hours = 24+36+45 = 105 gallons
The final answer: (E).