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:
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:
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
Discussion & Comments