How much does a watch losse per day if its hands coincide every 64 minutes?
Aptitude
Clock
Difficulty: Hard
Choose an option
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A37 minutes
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B$32 \frac{8}{11}$ minutes
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C31 minutes
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DNone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: $32 \frac{8}{11}$ minutes
Explanation
### Concept & Coincidence Interval
In a correct clock, the hands coincide every $\frac{720}{11}$ minutes (or $65 \frac{5}{11}$ minutes). If a clock's hands coincide every $x$ minutes, the total time gained or lost in a day (24 hours) is calculated by comparing this interval to the standard interval over the course of a day (1440 minutes).
$$ \text{Gain/Loss in a day} = \left( \frac{720}{11} - x \right) \times \left( \frac{24 \times 60}{x} \right) \text{ minutes} $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* Given: The interval $x = 64$ minutes. Since $64 < 65 \frac{5}{11}$, the clock is actually running fast (gaining time), despite the question's wording ("losse"). We calculate the magnitude of this shift.
* Substitute $x = 64$ into the formula:
$\text{Gain/Loss} = \left( \frac{720}{11} - 64 \right) \times \left( \frac{1440}{64} \right)$
* Simplify the first bracket:
$\frac{720 - (64 \times 11)}{11} = \frac{720 - 704}{11} = \frac{16}{11}$
* Simplify the second bracket:
$\frac{1440}{64} = \frac{45}{2}$
* Multiply the two parts:
$\frac{16}{11} \times \frac{45}{2} = \frac{8 \times 45}{11} = \frac{360}{11}$
* Convert to a mixed fraction:
$\frac{360}{11} = 32 \frac{8}{11}$ minutes.
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Memorize the true coincidence time: $65 \frac{5}{11}$ minutes. The difference for one coincidence is $1 \frac{5}{11} = \frac{16}{11}$ minutes. Since it coincides every 64 minutes, in a full day (1440 minutes), it coincides $1440 / 64 = 45/2$ times. Multiply the difference per coincidence by the number of coincidences: $\frac{16}{11} \times \frac{45}{2} = \frac{360}{11} = 32 \frac{8}{11}$.
### Common Pitfall
Confusing whether the clock gains or loses. If the interval is less than $65 \frac{5}{11}$ mins, the clock is fast (gaining). If it's more, it's slow (losing). Also, arithmetic errors when subtracting 64 from $\frac{720}{11}$.
### Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is **$32 \frac{8}{11}$ minutes**.