Right angle between 7 and 8 o’clock: At what time between 7 and 8 o’clock will the hands of a clock be at right angles?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: None of these

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
For clock problems, the angle between hands at time H:M is given by |30H − 5.5M| degrees. Right angles occur when this magnitude equals 90°. Between any two consecutive hours, there are typically two right-angle instants.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Hour between 7 and 8 ⇒ H = 7.
  • Right angle condition: |30H − 5.5M| = 90.


Concept / Approach:
Set up |210 − 5.5M| = 90 and solve the two linear cases to find the pair of minutes M in (0, 60). Convert fractional minutes to a mixed number of minutes and 11ths (since 5.5 = 11/2 commonly yields denominators of 11).


Step-by-Step Solution:

Case 1: 210 − 5.5M = 90 ⇒ 5.5M = 120 ⇒ M = 21 9/11.Case 2: 210 − 5.5M = −90 ⇒ 5.5M = 300 ⇒ M = 54 6/11.


Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute each M to get |210 − 5.5M| = 90 exactly.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
19 5/11 or 21 5/11 are not the correct solutions; 18 min is approximate and off. Since none match either 21 9/11 or 54 6/11, “None of these” is correct.


Common Pitfalls:
Dropping the negative case or rounding fractions prematurely; there are two answers within the hour.


Final Answer:
None of these

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