In what time would a cistern be filled by three pipes which diameters are 2 cm, 3 cm and 4 cm running together, when the largest alone can fill it is 58 minutes? The amount of water flowing in each pipe is proportional to the square of its diameter.

Given that the diameters of the three pipes are 2 cm, 3 cm and 4 cm

From the given data,

Amount of water from three pipes is 4 units, 9 units and 16 units.

Let the capacity of cistern be 'p' units.

∴ p/58 = 16

⇒ p = 928 units.

In 1 minute, quantity to be filled by 3 pipes = 29 units

∴ Total time required = 928/29 = 32 minutes.