<span>Rate of pump A: 1/8 of a pool per hour Rate of pump B: 1/9 of a pool per hour Combined rate: 1/8+1/9 = 17/72 +1/9 = 25/72
So if they work together, the two pumps have a combined rate of 25/72 of a pool per hour (i.e in one hour, the two pumps will empty 25/72 of the pool)
</span><span>But we want to empty ONE pool (not 25/72 of one). So we need to multiply 25/72 by some number x to get 1. </span> <span>Now solve for x x=2.88 </span><span>It will take the two pumps 2.88 hours to empty the pool. 2 hours 52 minutes 50 seconds</span>