Clock angle problem

The diagram shows the angles formed by the hands of an analog clock showing a time of 2:20

Clock angle problems are a type of mathematical problem which involve finding the angles between the hands of an analog clock.

Math problem

Clock angle problems relate two different measurements: angles and time. The angle is typically measured in degrees from the mark of number 12 clockwise. The time is usually based on 12-hour clock.

A method to solve such problems is to consider the rate of change of the angle in degrees per minute. The hour hand of a normal 12-hour analogue clock turns 360° in 12 hours (720 minutes) or 0.5° per minute. The minute hand rotates through 360° in 60 minutes or 6° per minute.[1]

Equation for the angle of the hour hand

\theta_{\text{hr}} = 0.5^{\circ} \times  M_{\Sigma} = 0.5^{\circ} \times (60 \times H + M)

where:

Equation for the angle of the minute hand

\theta_{\text{min.}} = 6^{\circ} \times M

where:

Example

The time is 5:24. The angle in degrees of the hour hand is:

\theta_{\text{hr}} = 0.5^{\circ} \times  (60 \times 5 + 24) = 162^{\circ}

The angle in degrees of the minute hand is:

\theta_{\text{min.}} = 6^{\circ} \times 24 = 144^{\circ}

Equation for the angle between the hands

The angle between the hands can be found using the following formula:

\begin{align}
\Delta\theta
 &= \vert \theta_{\text{hr}} - \theta_{\text{min.}} \vert \\
 &= \vert 0.5^{\circ}\times(60\times H+M) -6^{\circ}\times M \vert \\
 &= \vert 0.5^{\circ}\times(60\times H+M) -0.5^{\circ}\times 12 \times M \vert \\
 &= \vert 0.5^{\circ}\times(60\times H -11 \times M) \vert \\
\end{align}

where

If the angle is greater than 180 degrees then subtract it from 360 degrees

Example

The time is 2:20.

\begin{align}
\Delta\theta 
 &= \vert 0.5^{\circ} \times (60 \times 2 - 11 \times 20) \vert \\
 &= \vert 0.5^{\circ} \times (120 - 220) \vert \\
 &= 50^{\circ}
\end{align}

When are the hour and minute hands of a clock superimposed?

The hour and minute hands are superimposed only when their angle is the same.

\begin{align}
\theta_{\text{min}} &= \theta_{\text{hr}}\\
\Rightarrow 6^{\circ} \times M &= 0.5^{\circ} \times (60 \times H + M) \\
\Rightarrow 12 \times M &= 60 \times H + M \\
\Rightarrow 11 \times M &= 60 \times H\\
\Rightarrow M &= \frac{60}{11} \times H\\
\Rightarrow M &= 5.\overline{45} \times H
\end{align}

H is an integer in the range 0–11. This gives times of: 0:00, 1:05.45, 2:10.90, 3:16.36, 4:21.81, 5:27.27. 6:32.72, 7:38.18, 8:43.63, 9:49.09, 10:54.54, and 12:00. (0.45 minutes are exactly 27.27 seconds.)

See also

References

  1. Elgin, Dave (2007). "Angles on the Clock Face". Mathematics in School (The Mathematical Association) 36 (5): 4-5. JSTOR 30216063.

External links

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