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Between 5:30 and 6:00, at what time will the hands of the clock be at right angles (90°)?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 5:43 7⁄11

Explanation:

Problem restatement
Find the exact time between 5:30 and 6:00 when the angle between the hands is 90°.


Given data

  • At t minutes after 5, hour-hand angle = 150° + 0.5t°.
  • Minute-hand angle = 6t°.
  • Right angle → |difference| = 90°.

Concept/Approach
Solve |6t − (150 + 0.5t)| = 90 and select the solution between t = 30 and t = 60.


Step-by-Step calculation
|5.5t − 150| = 90Case 1: 5.5t − 150 = 90 → t = 240 ÷ 5.5 = 43 7⁄11Case 2: 5.5t − 150 = −90 → t = 60 ÷ 5.5 = 10 10⁄11 (not in 5:30–6:00)Required time = 5 : 43 7⁄11


Verification/Alternative
Relative speed method confirms one valid right angle in this half-hour window.


Common pitfalls
Forgetting to restrict to the stated interval and accepting the earlier solution.


Final Answer
5:43 7⁄11

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