The reflex angle between the hands of a clock at 10.25 is
Aptitude
Clocks
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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A$180^\circ$
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B$192\frac{1}{2}^\circ$
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C$195^\circ$
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D$197\frac{1}{2}^\circ$
Answer
Correct Answer: $197\frac{1}{2}^\circ$
Explanation
### Concept & Reflex Angle Calculation
First, calculate the interior (acute/obtuse) angle $\theta$ between the hands using the formula $\theta = |30H - 5.5M|$.
The "reflex angle" is the larger outer angle, defined mathematically as an angle greater than $180^\circ$. It is found by subtracting the interior angle from the full circle ($360^\circ$):
$$\text{Reflex Angle} = 360^\circ - \theta$$
### Step-by-Step Solution
1. **Given:** The time is 10:25. $H = 10, M = 25$.
2. Calculate the interior angle first:
$$\theta = \left| 30(10) - 5.5(25) \right|$$
3. $30 \times 10 = 300^\circ$
4. $5.5 \times 25 = \frac{11}{2} \times 25 = \frac{275}{2} = 137.5^\circ$
5. $\theta = |300^\circ - 137.5^\circ| = 162.5^\circ$. This is the interior angle.
6. Now, compute the reflex angle:
$$\text{Reflex Angle} = 360^\circ - 162.5^\circ = 197.5^\circ$$
7. Convert to fraction form: $197\frac{1}{2}^\circ$.
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
If a question asks for the "reflex angle" and you calculate an initial result greater than $180^\circ$ from the absolute difference formula, that *is* the reflex angle. In this case, our initial calculation was $162.5^\circ$ (less than $180^\circ$), so the $360^\circ$ subtraction step was mandatory.
### Common Pitfall
A classic error is failing to read the word "reflex" and simply selecting the interior angle if it happens to be present in the options. Always double-check if the question asks for the interior or exterior (reflex) angle.
### Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is **$197\frac{1}{2}^\circ$**.