A clock gains 10 minutes in every 24 hours. It is set correctly on Monday at 8:00 am. On the following Wednesday, when the fast clock shows 6:00 pm, what is the correct (true) time?

Introduction / Context:
Clocks that gain or lose time run at a rate different from true (solar) time. If a watch gains 10 minutes every 24 hours, then its indicated interval is slightly longer than the true interval. The task is to convert the indicated elapsed time back to true elapsed time and then read off the correct moment.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Gain = 10 minutes per 24 hours (i.e., per 1440 minutes).
• Set right: Monday 8:00 am.
• Indicated moment: Wednesday 6:00 pm.

Concept / Approach:
Rate factor r = indicated/true = (1440 + 10) / 1440 = 1450 / 1440. Hence true elapsed = indicated * (1440 / 1450).

Step-by-Step Solution:
Indicated elapsed from Mon 8:00 am to Wed 6:00 pm = 2 days 10 h = 58 h.True elapsed = 58 * (1440/1450) h = 57.6 h = 57 h 36 min.Add 57 h 36 min to Monday 8:00 am → Wednesday 5:36 pm.

Verification / Alternative check:
If the watch runs fast by 10/1440 ≈ 0.00694, in 57.6 true hours it will indicate ~58 hours; consistency holds.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
5:40 pm and 5:30 pm are nearby but arise from rounding; 4:36 pm is far off; “None of these” is invalid since 5:36 pm is derivable.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing true/indicated ratios; using 58 * (1450/1440) (reverse) leads to a larger, incorrect time shift.

Final Answer:
5 : 36 pm