The flow of water through a drainage pipe was monitored for a 3-hour period. In the second hour, the rate of flow was 18 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?	Choose the correct choice from the following answers:	A) 51.25	B) 52.5	C) 53.75	D) 55.0	E) 55.5
Rate of flow of water in second hour = 18 gallons per hour   Rate of flow of water in first hour = 18/(3/2)= 
<gadget id="calculator">18/(3/2)</gadget>
<output>12</output>
12 gallons per hour   Rate of flow of water in third hour= (125/100)* 18 = (5/4) * 18= 
<gadget id="calculator">(5/4) * 18</gadget>
<output>45/2 = around 22.5</output>
22.5 gallons per hour   Number of gallons of water that flowed through the pipe during the entire 3 hours= 12+18+22.5= 
<gadget id="calculator">12+18+22.5</gadget>
<output>52.5</output>
52.5 gallons   Answer 52.5
<result>B</result>
The flow of water through a drainage pipe was monitored for a 3-hour period. In the second hour, the rate of flow was 18 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?