Clock-related Problems

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There are 12 dial units in the clock. Every time the minute hand completes 12 dials, the
hour hand moves 1 dial. Thus, if the minute hand moves by x the hour hand moves by
x/12.

Key equations:

xx = distance traveled by the minute hand (in minutes)

x12x12 = distance traveled by the hour hand (in minutes)

There are three common questions in clock problems; (1) time when the hands of the
clock are together, (2) time when the hands of the clock are perpendicular to each
other, and (3) time when the hands of the clock form a straight line.

The following are the distances between the hands of the clock:
(1) Together = 0
(2) Perpendicular (90 to each other) = 15 minutes

(3) Straight line (opposite each other) = 30 minutes

The table below is provided for the sake of completeness of this post.

Dial position

No. of minutes

12:00

0 minute

1:00

5 minutes

2:00

10 minutes

3:00

15 minutes

4:00

20 minutes

5:00

25 minutes

6:00

30 minutes

7:00

35 minutes

8:00

40 minutes

9:00

45 minutes

10:00

50 minutes

11:00

55 minutes

12:00

60 minutes

Tags:

clock problem

minute hand

hour hand

Example 01 | Clock-related
problem

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Problem
What time between 2 and 3 oclock will the angle between the hands of the clock be
bisected by the line connecting the center of the clock and the 3 oclock mark?
A. 2:18:27.6
B. 2:16:00.0
C. 2:17:56.3
D. 2:19:03.1

Solution
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10+x12+=1510+x12+=15
=5x12=5x12
x=15+x=15+
x=15+(5x12)x=15+(5x12)
x=20x12x=20x12
13x12=2013x12=20
x=18.46 minx=18.46 min
x=18 min and 27.6 secx=18 min and 27.6 sec
Time=2:18:27.6Time=2:18:27.6

answer - A