Clock orientation logic: At 4:30, if the minute hand points East, in which direction does the hour hand point?
Verbal Reasoning
Direction Sense Test
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
-
ASouth
-
BNorth–East
-
CNorth
-
DSouth–West
-
ENone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: North–East
Explanation
Introduction / Context:We use relative hand angles and then apply a rotation so that the minute hand (normally at 6 at 4:30) is aligned to East.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- At 4:30, minute hand is at 6 (normally South).
- Given: minute points East ⇒ the whole clock is rotated so South maps to East (a +90° rotation).
- Hour hand at 4:30 lies halfway between 4 and 5 (direction SE in a normal clock).
Concept / Approach:Rotate the hour-hand vector by +90°. A SE vector (down-right) rotated +90° becomes NE (up-right).
Step-by-Step Solution:
Normal 4:30 hour-hand direction ≈ South-East.Apply +90° rotation (since minute 6 → East).Resulting direction = North–East.Verification / Alternative check:Vector (1, −1) → (1, 1) under +90° rotation.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:South/South–West/North assume incorrect or opposite rotation.
Common Pitfalls:Forgetting that both hands rotate together when the frame is reoriented.
Final Answer:North–East