How to Solve Clocks Question Quickly

August 3, 2023

Solving Clock Questions Quickly

Let us look at some of the Key points and Sample Clock Questions in this page which will help you to understand how to solve clocks questions easily.

How to Solve Clocks Questions Easily

Points to Remember

Here are some Key points that are needed to be remembered while solving Clock Based Questions:

  1. Relative Speed: The minute hand moves 12 times faster than the hour hand, and the second-hand moves 60 times faster than the hour hand.

  2. 12-Hour Clock: Most clock questions use the 12-hour format, where the clock has 12 hours, and it repeats every 12 hours.

  3. 360 Degrees: The entire clock face represents 360 degrees.

  4. Hour Hand Position: The hour hand covers 30 degrees for each hour on the clock (360 degrees / 12 hours).

  5. Minute Hand Position: The minute hand covers 6 degrees for each minute on the clock (360 degrees / 60 minutes).

  6. Coinciding Hands: The hour and minute hands coincide (overlap) 11 times in every 12-hour period.

  7. Half Past the Hour: At half-past any hour (e.g., 3:30, 6:30), the minute hand points at 6, and the angle between the hands is a multiple of 15 degrees.

  8. Full Hour: At any full hour (e.g., 3:00, 6:00), the minute hand points at 12, and the angle between the hands is a multiple of 30 degrees.

Type 1: How to Solve Clocks Questions Easily

Question 1. Calculate the angle between the two hands of a clock when the time shown by the clock is 7:30 a.m.

Options:

A. 1000

B. 1550

C.2000

D. None of the above

Solution       From the formula

Angle = 11/2M – 30H, where M =30, and H =7

= 11/2*30 – 30 x 7

= |165 – 210|, taking the mode of the values, we get

= 1550

Correct Answer: Option B

Question 2. Calculate the degree at which the hour hand moves when the minute’s hand moves 750 times.

Options:

A. 130

B. 12 \frac{3}{6}°

C. 15(3/6)°

D. Cannot be determined

Solution:       Degrees covered by hour hand in one minute = 1/60

The minute hand will cover 750/60 degrees in 650 minutes.

This can be written as =   12 \frac{3}{6}°

Correct Answer: Option B

Question 3. What is the angle an hour hand has to trace when it covers the time from 8 A.M in the morning to 2 o’clock in the afternoon?

Options

A. 120

B.180

C.250

D. None of the above

Solution:     Time between 8 A.M to 2 P.M = 6 hours.

Therefore, the angle traced by the hour hand = 360/12 x 6

= 1800

Correct Answer: Option B

Type 2: Solve Clocks Questions

Ques 1. Determine the time at which the minute and the hour hand will be in the same straight line facing opposite directions between 2 and 3 o’clock.

Options:

A. 2:43(7/11) P.M.

B. 2:45 P.M.

C.2:50(1/13) P.M.

D. None of the above

Solution:     Degrees in a straight line = 1800

When we apply the formula, 11/2M – 30H

=  (180+60)/2  = 11M

Or M =43(7/11)

Correct Answer: Option A

Question 2. A clock is set to correct timing at 8 a.m. In the next 24 hours, it gains 10 minutes. What will be the true time when the clock displays time to be 1 P.M?

Options

A. 12: 48 P.M

B.  2:50 P.M.

C. 1: 30 A.M.

D. Cannot Be Determined

Solution:     Number of hours from 8 A.M on a day to 1 P.M the next day = 29

24 hours 10 minutes of this clock = 24 hours of a correct clock

145/6    hours of this incorrect clock = 24 hours of the correct clock

29 hours of incorrect clock = 24 x 6/145 x 29 hours of the correct clock

= 28 hours and 48 minutes of the correct clock

Therefore, the correct time is 28 hours and 48 minutes after 8 A.M

Which means, the true time will be 12:48 P.M.

Correct Answer: Option A

Question 3. What is the time between 4 and 5 o’clock, when the hands of the watch points in the opposite direction?

Options

A.  4:54 o’clock

B.  5 o’clock

C. 10 o’clock

D. Cannot be Determined

Solution:      Hands of the clock are 20 min. spaces apart when the time is 4 o’clock

They must be 30 min. Spaces apart to be in opposite directions.

Minute hand needs to gain 50 min. spaces

A clock gains 55 min. spaces in 60 minutes

50 min spaces are gained in

=  60/55 x 50 minutes

= 54(6/11)

The needed time = 54(6/11) past 4, or

= 4: 54

Correct Answer: Option A

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