A clock is started at noon. By 10 minutes past 5, the hour hand has turned through
Aptitude
Clocks
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
-
A145°
-
B150°
-
C155°
-
D160°
Answer
Correct Answer: 155°
Explanation
### Concept & Hour Hand Speed
The hour hand rotates 360° in 12 hours. Therefore, it moves:
- $30°$ per hour.
- $0.5°$ (or $1/2°$) per minute.
### Step-by-Step Solution
1. **Given:** Start time = 12:00 Noon. End time = 5:10 PM ("10 minutes past 5").
2. Calculate the total time elapsed:
Time = 5 hours and 10 minutes.
3. Convert this total time entirely into minutes:
$$5 \text{ hours} = 5 \times 60 = 300 \text{ minutes}$$
Total = $300 + 10 = 310 \text{ minutes}$.
4. Multiply the total minutes by the hour hand's speed (0.5°/min):
$$\text{Angle} = 310 \times 0.5° = 155°$$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Calculate hours and minutes separately:
5 hours = $5 \times 30° = 150°$
10 minutes = $10 \times 0.5° = 5°$
Total angle = $150° + 5° = 155°$. This is much faster for mental math!
### Common Pitfall
A common error is just calculating for the 5 hours (150°) and ignoring the extra distance the hour hand creeps forward during the additional 10 minutes.
### Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is **155°**.