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
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
Discussion & Comments